El Nino

Resilient water tanks to assist Niuafo’ou people in El Nino Season

The Niuas, are drier than normal and much more vulnerable to water shortages especially during El Nino season, according to the Meteorological Office El Nino Advisories.

El Nino's toll on Tonga's taro

Tonga's agriculture ministry says about 80 percent of locally-grown taro crops will be damaged by this year's El Niño weather pattern.

Acting Director Dr Viliami Manu says it is already evident that crop yields are decreasing, and he is encouraging farmers to grow smaller quantities of taro so they can be more easily watered.

Drought-stricken Pacific nations to brace for likely disease

Disaster officials in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga have reported this week that the situation is already bad and they are expecting it to get worse.

Australian agricultural scientist, Mike Bourke says remote areas such as those in Vanuatu's south, worst affected by Cyclone Pam, will need attention, particularly with treatment of disease.

Tonga hoping for more rain as it considers drought options

Tonga is hoping that rain currently falling over the Niua islands will head south and relieve the drought-stricken country.

The National Emergency Office director, Leveni 'Aho, says he fears the worst is yet to come as the region deals with a threatening El Niño pattern.

He says so far the only place where water has been delivered is on the island of 'Eua, but the government is ready to organise shipping water to more remote islands if required.

He says if needed, the government will use desalination plants, but it's an expensive operation.

Bushfires in New Caledonia continue to increase

A total fire ban is in force as firefighters continue to battle dozens of bushfires across the archipelago as a prolonged dry spell continues.

Last Sunday, a helicopter involved in fighting a fire near Voh, about 300 kilometres north of Noumea, crashed, killing its pilot and a mechanic on board.

Only 20 millimetres of rain fell last month, and authorities expect the situation to worsen as what's expected to be one of the worst El Niño systems in over a decade intensifies.

Cyclone shift

Kumar says there is a possibility that the country should expect to have Fiji cyclone season earlier instead of November, the usual month.

He said the official Tropical Cyclone season was from November to April, but records showed cyclones occurred outside the official tropical cyclone season.

“The current El Nino has a potential to change the distribution and frequency of tropical cyclones in the region. Please note that apart from August and September, tropical cyclones have occurred in all other months in the South Pacific,” Kumar said.

Helicopter pilot dies fighting New Caledonia fire

Last night a rescue operation was underway to recover the victim who was helping to douse the flames of a fire at Voh in the north of the territory.

Homes were evacuated and the main highway was cut on Sunday when fire engulfed bush in the area.

About 200 hectares of vegetation was burnt and about 20 homes threatened.

Three helicopters were brought in to help fight the fire which also involved security personnel who led convoys of motorists to safety.

New Caledonia firefighters battle as dry spell continues

Three helicopters were deployed to help control fires in Teremba, Voh and Pouembout.

Local media reports the fires are mostly due to human intervention, and have been aggravated by strong winds.

New Caledonia's president, Philippe Germain, yesterday issued a territory-wide fire ban, saying there is an extreme risk.

Like much of the Pacific, New Caledonia is predicted to experience well below normal rainfall in coming months as what's expected to be one of the worst El Niño systems in over a decade intensifies.

UNICEF calls for EL Nino costing

The El Nino has caused severe drought through much of the region including Vanuatu which is still recovering from Cyclone Pam.

UNICEF Pacific Representative Karen Allen says affected children are showing signs of malnutrition and diarrhoea which could lead to greater developmental issues in the future.

Dr Allen says although governments have said there is no need for any mass appeal, there is a pressing need to look at the potential costs of the system.

El Nino effects on Cyclones being monitored

Acting Director of the National Disaster Management Office Akapusi Tuifagalele says following the 1997 drought, the country had experienced a series of natural disasters.

“That is one of the issues that we are actually looking into knowing that for what happened in 1997 & 1998 it was broken by a tropical cyclones, followed by flooding. We are hoping that is not going to happen for us during this season but it may,” said Akapusi Tuifagalele, acting Director NDMO.