NWS WARNS OF HEAVY RAIN IN PARTS OF PNG DESPITE LOOMING EL NINO

DESPITE talks of upcoming prolonged drought or El Nino hitting the Pacific including Papua New Guinea, the National Weather Service of Papua New Guinea has issued a renewal heavy rain and potential flooding warning this morning of isolated heavy rainfall expected over parts the country for the next 12 hours.

A trough line extends south eastward from the equator about (00.0°S, 147.0°E), passing east of NIP and
into the Pacific Ocean.

The trough extends up to approximately 700 hPa (10,000 ft) and is expected to remain over the mentioned areas for the next 24 hours.

The trough is expected to produce partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over the mentioned areas.

Areas of convergence have been identified in the following locations, in area 1 including parts of New Guinea Islands, Momase, Highlands regions, as well as Western & Gulf province, the Solomon Sea, Bismarck Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Area 2, includes, inland PNG and the Highlands Region, including the Owen Stanley Range, where orographic
effects and local conditions are enhancing cloud development and rainfall activity.

The Weather service has issued warning of potential heavy rain that is expected over or nearby the mentioned areas, to parts of Enga province, Western, New Ireland, East and West New Britain, Manus and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

This potential heavy rainfall may cause flash flood or riverine flooding and landslide are expected in prone areas.

Residents in mentioned areas are advised to take necessary precautions during the warning period.

Meantime, last week it was evident, the skies opened up with heavy down pour in parts of Enga province and also in East New Britain province.