This past week will probably be remembered as being one of the rainiest with more frequent thunderstorms than experienced for a while in Montserrat. But these were not usual in at least one way causing havoc to communication equipment on Silver Hills, and the electricity services especially in the southern side of the island.
Since Monday overnight into Tuesday and Wednesday morning; and again Thursday into Friday morning thunderstorms with lightening and very heavy showers of rain descended particularly on the southern end of habitable Montserrat, but brought down communication equipment for ZJB radio, Peoples Television and LIME.
Lightening from one or more thunderstorms damaged several pieces of equipment at Radio Montserrat (ZJB) and Peoples Television transmission site in the Silver Hills on Thursday. This resulted in both broadcast stations being off the air for several hours on Thursday evening.
In addition to the broadcast services there are several other communications operations with their equipment located on the vantage point at Silver Hills. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory, the RMPF, the airport, and the Governor’s office especially with general responsibility for emergencies, the DMCA, the Port Authority. (See following a special People’s Television contributory report as adapted on the matter.)
According to ZJB reports, the damaged equipment were part of ZJB’s Studio to transmitter link that enables transmission on both frequencies 88.3 and 95.5. Station manager Herman Sergeant says the damage to the equipment leaves radio Montserrat vulnerable for the hurricane season which is expected to wrap up even further, he says some of the equipment may have to be sent back to the manufacturers for assessment and repairs or be replaced.
