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Drought impacts differ between provinces
National Weather Service Director, Jimmy Gomoga (Supplied)
The National Weather Service has advised that drought impacts differ between provinces and communities.
In its October update, the organization cautioned even when “rainfall begins to improve, water shortages and agricultural impacts may persist.”
It's further advised rainfall conditions are “expected to vary across the country from now to January 2027.
Director Jimmy Gomoga earlier told this newsroom, the El Nino weather condition is such that there’ll be periods of dry and wet seasons, but eventually end with drought.
The El Nino period as predicted, is maturing now and is expected to last on average between 9-18 months.
Gomoga predicts, the phenomenon could ease early next early.
NCD, Gulf and Western Provinces are in critical drought alert, while Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, East and West New Britain, Manus, Milne Bay and Southern Highlands remain under drought alert.
The provinces that are being closely monitored are East and West Sepik, Eastern and Western Highlands, Madang, New Ireland and Northern.
People are advised to conserve and carefully manage available water supplies, and take precautions against bushfires and uncontrolled burning.