As of Thursday morning (November 13), the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) had restored electricity to approximately 686,000 households and businesses islandwide that were affected by Hurricane Melissa on October 28.

According to Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz, this figure represents approximately 67 per cent of the JPS’s customer base.

He further noted that 77 per cent of major and private hospitals have also had their power restored.

The minister provided the update during a Special Press Briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts at Jamaica House on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Vaz reported that the telecommunications sector is also progressing in its restoration efforts, with Digicel indicating that 60 per cent of its mobile network has been restored.

“Current focus is now on Hanover, where teams are working to improve performance, and in St. Anns Bay, Runaway Bay and Discovery Bay where crews are rebuilding and strengthening network connections,” he said.

Vaz noted that eight sites are scheduled for rebuilding within the next two weeks. He added that technicians are currently realigning microwave antennas to restore traffic routing from Negril—a process expected to be completed within two to three days.

The minister further advised that Starlink backhaul internet service installations are ongoing, with plans underway to redeploy a connection point in North Trelawny to strengthen reconnection efforts.

However, the deployment of the mobile site in Wait-A-Bit, Trelawny, remains on hold pending landlord clearance.

Meanwhile, Flow has reported continued improvement in both fixed and mobile services. Approximately 75 per cent of fixed sites are now operational, as commercial power stabilises across more areas.

As of Wednesday (November 12), a total of 67 additional network nodes had been restored, bringing fixed customer connectivity to 53 per cent islandwide.

“Restoration has been strengthened along key corridors, including Port Antonio to Annotto Bay, Mandeville to Santa Cruz, and Port Antonio to Morant Bay,” Vaz outlined.

He indicated that additional work is ongoing along the Ocho Rios to Spanish Town, Falmouth, Montego Bay, Mandeville, and May Pen routes to expand access and improve network stability.

“On the mobile sites, 58 per cent are back online, representing approximately 90 per cent of pre-hurricane mobile traffic,” the Minister said.

Vaz added that service has been restored in several affected communities, including Darliston and Little London in Westmoreland; Bonny Gate and Charles Town in St Mary; Boston Bay in Portland; Kellits, Crofts Hill, and New Bowen in Clarendon; and Pratville in Manchester.