Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has put the country on alert for a potential prolonged dry spell under El Niño.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), which is the region’s primary scientific organisation, says that sea surface temperature readings and Southern Oscillation Index values have met the thresholds for El Niño.
Agencies draw on the same data and models but use slightly different thresholds and criteria to determine if an El Niño is in effect.
Australia, Japan and the US National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration have declared El Niño events but New Zealand has been holding off.
PNG prime minister James Marape said the government was taking early action to ensure that communities, particularly those in drought-prone and water-scarce locations, are prepared.
“I just want to pass instruction to all districts and all provinces to be prepared for an extraordinary dry season if it does happen,” he said in a statement.
Marape said the country’s diverse geography required a locally tailored response, rather than a one-size-fits-all national approach.
Solving the World’s Problems: El Nino
Afternoons
“We are keeping tabs on what is happening and, wherever possible, the National Government is intervening.
“But in the meantime, we have asked provinces and districts to take ownership of this disaster that may happen and have a localised approach.
“Each area knows where water flows.”
Speaking to NBC News during an awareness campaign, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said his office has begun water drilling projects to secure reliable freshwater sources, and plans for desalination plants are underway.
He said he will formally seek National Government support during the July Parliament sitting.
Tonga
The Tonga Meteorological Service, has officially declared the onset of El Niño conditions for the kingdom.
The country’s National Disaster Risk Management Committee met on Tuesday to strengthen preparedness and planning.
The briefing was told a drought warning is now in force for Ha’apai Island divisions, and a drought alert for the Niuafo’ou, Niuatoputapu, Vava’u, Tongatapu and ‘Eua Island divisions.
One of the main points focused on the impacts of El Niño for Tonga, especially the prediction for below average rainfall for Tonga and the high likelihood for prolonged drought conditions for Tonga for the next three to six months.
Fiji
Fiji’s minister for meteorological services said the government has set aside money in case of water shortages linked to El Niño conditions.
The Fiji Sun reported Ro Filipe Tuisawau saying the Government would continue weekly monitoring of water levels, together with the Fiji Meteorological Service and development partners.
Fiji Meteorological Service director Misaeli Funaki said current forecasts did not indicate a severe El Niño event, but weather experts were closely monitoring climate models.
The Fiji Times reported that, looking at June as a whole, much of Fiji is expected to experience drier-than-normal conditions.
For the June to August period, meteorologists forecast a high chance of very dry conditions for Matuku, Ono-i-Lau and parts of the southern Lau Group, while a medium chance of very dry conditions extends across the Central, Eastern and Northern divisions, as well as most parts of the Western Division.
