It is now time for people to cut down on their showers as a number of parts of the country have been hit by the prolonged dry spell.

This is the message from the Water Authority of Fiji as it has embarked on a nationwide campaign to increase awareness on the importance of water conservation.

In a press conference this afternoon, Authority’s Board Director Kamal Gounder says the two month campaign will feature tips on saving water.

Gounder says the Water Authority of Fiji was allocated around $349 million in the 2018/2019 National Budget of which $246 million is for capital projects and they are now prioritizing some projects to cart water to a number of areas.

He says 20 water carting trucks are operational in the Central Division, 43 in the Western Division and 37 in the Northern Division.

Gounder says they have also started carting water to maritime islands like Yasawa and Moala.

Meanwhile, the Director of Fiji Meteorological Service, Ravind Kumar who was also present at the press conference stated that the dry spell is expected to continue for the next two months.

He says from mid-June, many parts of the country are experiencing very less or no rain.

Kumar says the most hard hit area is the northwest part of Viti Levu from Ba to Davuilevu and these areas especially in Tavua and Rakiraki, they are experiencing about of 60 to 70 consecutive days of very little or no rain.

He says the sources of water can start drying up if the dry spell continues.

The Water Authority of Fiji is urging those that are facing concerns with their water supply in the rural areas to contact them on toll-free number 1507.