Soggy July has seen Bermudians reach for umbrellas and waterproofs with nearly four inches of rain in the first five days. And with no let-up in the rain, Bermuda is on course for one of the wettest Julys ever.

The recent downpour ? last Friday alone saw 1.23 inches of rain in 24 hours ? has had meteorologist scouring the records.

Said the Bermuda Weather Service?s James Morrison: ?In the last 50 years, the extreme precipitation mark was 10.58 inches. In five days we?ve seen almost the month?s average fallen.? But while gardeners everywhere may be rejoicing, the wet spell still means no relief for the Island?s water truckers.

Water Truckers Association president John Stovell complained that Government?s water catchment facilities at Port Royal and Prospect were open for shorter periods than usual.

?The demand is more than the supply. There are a more than sufficient number of trucks standing in line for the same supply ... and the supply is not there.?

Prospect was open from 7.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Port Royal was open at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Last week the Prospect water catchment facility was closed for two days after Thursday?s lightning storm.

Mr. Stovell said that lightning knocked out power at the facility and truckers were not able to collect water for 48 hours.

?Belco had problems up there,? he said.

Despite the recent rain, Bermuda has still experienced drier weather this year than normal.

Meteorologist Declan O Connell, of the Bermuda Weather Service, said: ?At the end of June, the yearly rainfall stood at 21.8 inches. Typically we should have 26.58 inches at this time. However, the first few days of July have gone a long way towards rectifying the situation,? he said.

The average July rainfall is 4.94 inches ? the last five days have seen 3.82 inches of rain.