Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama was briefed yesterday on the prolonged dry spell affecting most parts of Fiji.
National Disaster Management Director, Manasa Tagicakibau said the dry spell is driven by the potential El Nino that has been trying to develop fully in the Pacific since May.
Tagicakibau also highlighted how the Education, Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, Health, Sugar, Water, Electricity and communities have been affected by the prolonged dry spell.
He added that 161 schools have been affected by the current dry spell but continue to operate due to carted water.
The Education Ministry through the Education cluster is assisting with the provision of water tanks to the affected schools.
Tagicakibau said the Ministry of Health has also activated its cluster to coordinate support activities in the health sector.
They are also advising the public to practice personal hygiene as diseases may spread when the dry spell is over.
He added that while the Agriculture Ministry continues to assess the dry spell, a number of strategies have been put in place to lessen the impacts.
This includes purchase of water pumps, irrigation system and water tanks.
The Ministry has also mobilized its resources and has provided supplementary feeds to animals to maintain body conditions.
Tagicakibau also informed the Prime Minister that the recent rainfall experienced in most part of Fiji has filled up reservoirs, water sources and catchments.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has directed the National Disaster Management to continue to monitor the situation and to respond to the affected communities.
He has also urged them to also look at long term solutions like mobile desalination plants.
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