PNG FACES 82% CHANCE OF EL NINO BY MID YEAR

Borrowed Pictures

BY RICKY ISRAEL

THE National Weather Service says the chances of an El Niño developing this year have increased from 65 percent to 82 percent.

Assistant Director for Climate Research and Support Services, Kasis Inape, told FM100 News that many climate models are now showing El Niño could form by the middle of this year.

Mr. Inape says Papua New Guinea has just moved out of the wet season which normally runs from November to April and into the dry season, from May to October, which normally brings fewer rainy days across the country.

He says rainfall has already decreased in many areas and once El Niño forms and becomes stable, dry conditions are expected to become stronger and spread further.

Areas already close to drought-like conditions include East New Britain, Manus, New Ireland, Chimbu, Jiwaka, Enga, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, and the National Capital District.

Mr. Inape is urging communities to prepare early for possible drought conditions by paying attention to weather advisories and using water wisely.

He adds that it is still too early to know if this El Niño will become a very strong or “super” El Niño like the one experienced in 1997.