by Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter 
An aerial view of the road leading into Toll Gate, Clarendon which was still under water yesterday. National Commercial Bank (NCB) executives and an Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) representative conducted a helicopter tour of sections of Clarendon to view the damage from recent flooding. NCB is helping victims of the flood rains through the NCB Challenge Fund which will invite Jamaicans to contribute to an account over the next week. NCB will match the funds up to $100 million. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
FIVE PARISHES were yesterday declared disaster areas by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson during his report to Parliament on the recovery effort following last week's flood rains which devastated much of the country's infrastructure while claiming 10 lives.
Manchester, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas and St. Catherine have been named the worst-affected parishes.
The move is in keeping with the provisions of the Disaster Prepare-dness and Emergency Act and will remain in force for a period of three months until August 31.
The decision to classify them as disaster areas will allow for a number of measures to be undertaken, the aim being to reduce further loss and mitigate the impact that could ensue during the hurricane season which began on June 1, Mr. Patterson explained.
Among the measures to be undertaken are:
The cleaning and opening of roads to allow access to communities that have been cut off.
Clearing/cleaning drains in the parishes to reduce water levels and to prevent flooding in the future.
Provision of welfare relief to affected families.
Implementation of measures to monitor water quality.
Burial of dead livestock to reduce the threat of disease.
"During this period (until August 31), the measures I have specified will be undertaken in the declared areas to remove or otherwise guard against the natural hazard being experienced in those areas and the probable consequences thereof," the Prime Minister said.
The decision to declare disaster areas was influenced by the widespread nature of the flooding, the effect of the rainfall in the worst affected parishes, the significance of the consequential impact on the economy and social sector, as well as the onset of the hurricane season "which makes us more vulnerable to heavy rains", Mr. Patterson said.
He further stressed relief and rehabilitation efforts would not be confined to the five parishes but would extend to wherever damage had occurred.
"This course of action will, however, enable us to concentrate on restoring normal social and economic activities in the areas declared within the shortest possible time," he stated. He added that it represented the "most effective approach in minimising the long-term socio-economic impact of this disaster".
The Prime Minister reiterated the declaration was not a state of emergency and that there would be no breach or suspension of any fundamental human rights or freedoms as a result.
