Severe El Niño conditions trigger coastal water shortages and highlands frost in Central

Communities across Central Province are facing severe weather disruption as the compounding effects of an El Niño climate pattern trigger water shortages along the coast and damaging frost in the highlands.

The Central Provincial Disaster Office confirmed it has begun receiving impact reports from multiple districts, prompting emergency officials to urge locals to immediately prepare for a prolonged dry spell expected to last several months.

Provincial Disaster Advisor Tumai Ipou disclosed that natural water systems in coastal areas have already dried up. The shortages have forced coastal villagers to manually transport water containers over significant distances from Port Moresby to meet daily domestic needs.

The weather phenomenon is impacting the province's distinct ecological zones in two contrasting ways.

Coastal Lowlands: Complete exhaustion of primary streams, creeks, and water catchments.

Highland Altitudes: Severe overnight frost in high-altitude valleys, including the Kosipe region of the remote Goilala District, threatening local subsistence food gardens.

"We have already seen El Niño taking place in the province," Ipou said. "We must store water and use it wisely as we are in a serious dry season."

Ipou said the provincial administration has prioritized emergency mitigation measures.

The Central Provincial Administration stated it is actively monitoring the situation across vulnerable local-level governments to coordinate relief logistics and water security initiatives.