Contingency plans are being prepared to respond to the expected impacts of a severe El Niño event, including worsening water shortages in parts of Fiji.
Director of the National Disaster Risk Management Office, Napolioni Boseiwaqa says humanitarian clusters have been instructed to prepare their contingency plans, which are now being collated before being presented to Cabinet.
Boseiwaqa says the preparations follow warnings from the Fiji Meteorological Service of a possible severe El Niño event, with below-normal rainfall expected from now until early February next year.
Insert: NDRMO - Attended to right now Sept 17
Boseiwaqa says maritime islands and other areas that rely on rainfall or boreholes are particularly vulnerable because they do not have sustainable water sources.
He says Taveuni is among the areas currently requiring assistance, with water-carting being arranged after communities reported low water supplies.
Boseiwaqa says while the Water Authority of Fiji has a supply in the area, there have reportedly been issues affecting the water system.
He says as an alternative, arrangements have been made with Government Shipping to transport water to the affected area, with supplies expected by the weekend.
Boseiwaqa says the current forecast indicates that most parts of Fiji could experience the impacts of El Niño in the coming months, including the western parts of Viti Levu, as well as northern, eastern and parts of the Central Division.
He says Fiji is currently experiencing meteorological drought due to below-normal rainfall.
Boseiwaqa says this could progress to hydrological drought as groundwater supplies decline, followed by agricultural drought affecting crops and livestock.
He says the impacts could eventually extend to food security and health.
Boseiwaqa says the NDRMO is working with technical agencies, including Energy Fiji Limited and the Water Authority of Fiji, to assess the situation and determine the measures required as Fiji prepares for the anticipated impacts of El Niño.
