The Island is facing a water shortage after suffering one of the driest Junes in 50 years. Water truck companies that spoke to The Royal Gazette last night said they had a long waiting list of clients who have ordered water, but they had been unable to make deliveries because restrictions have been imposed on Government supplies.

One trucker said he was unable to collect water from Government wells after 9 p.m. and lamented being unable to serve his customers. Many said that their waiting lists spilled into next week.

So far this month just 0.64 inches of rain has fallen, according to the Bermuda Weather Service. Last year's total rainfall for the month was 2.37 inches while in 2003 5.03 inches fell during the month.

Declan O'Connell, of the Bermuda Weather Service, said this is the driest June in the last 50 or 60 years. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there is any heavy rain heading the Island's way soon, though Mr. O'Connell said there was a hint of showers on the radar for Saturday. The last heavy rainfall was on May 25 when the Island received 2.12 inches.