FIJI should prepare for a prolonged period of dry weather rather than panic, as the Fiji Meteorological Service confirms a strong El Niño is already underway and is expected to continue into next year.
Acting director of the Fiji Meteorological Service Samisoni Waqavakatoga said forecasts indicated the climate pattern would persist through 2026 and into 2027, although its full impacts remained uncertain.
“Fiji should be prepared rather than panic,” he said.
“The Fiji Meteorological Service confirms that El Niño is underway. El Niño is underway and most models project this El Niño status to last through 2026 and into 2027.”
He said while the severity of the event could not yet be confirmed, drier-than-normal conditions were already being experienced.
“We cannot yet confirm how severe this El Niño event will be.”
Mr Waqavakatoga said people should take practical steps now to prepare for the coming months.
“The advice from the Fiji Met Service for the general public is prepare now, store water, secure your homes and protect food sources before the dry spell kicks in.”
He stressed that preparation, rather than fear, was the most important response.
Farmers told to adapt
REDUCED rainfall forecast under a very strong El Niño is expected to place Fiji’s agriculture sector under increasing pressure in the months ahead.
The warning comes as farmers are encouraged to begin adapting their planting practices before dry conditions worsen.
Agriculture is expected to be among the hardest-hit sectors, Fiji Meteorological Service acting director Samisoni Waqavakatoga said in an interview on The Fiji Times online portal, The Lens@177.
“With the agricultural sector, the impacts will be mostly felt by them,” he said.
He said prolonged dry weather would directly affect crop production.
“With these dry conditions, we could see less rainfall in the coming months.
“So definitely with less rainfall, the agricultural sector, with crops and crop production, will be most affected.”
Mr Waqavakatoga said farmers should begin preparing now.
“One of the ways farmers should prepare for this prolonged dry spell is to adopt climate-smart practices, planting practices that conserve soil moisture and look into diversifying crop choices to suit the dry
conditions that we are expecting.”
Store water now, families urged
FIJI Meteorological Service acting director Samisoni Waqavakatoga has urged families across the country to store fresh water now as strong El Niño is expected to cause extreme dry conditions in the coming
months.
Speaking during an interview on The Fiji Times online portal, The Lens@177, Mr Waqavakatoga said water conservation and storage should become part of every household’s preparations before the dry
spell intensifies.
“The public need not panic,” he said.
Instead, he said preparation was the key message Fiji Met wanted communities to take on board.
“Preparation is vital – storing water is important.”
Mr Waqavakatoga said Fiji Met’s seasonal outlooks had consistently highlighted the likelihood of El Niño continuing into next year.
“The advisories have included the El Niño forecast that it will persist for the next coming months into next year.”
He encouraged households to use water wisely.
“For the general public, it’s just to use water wisely – the main thing is to store water for the coming months, especially for the homes.
“That’s to cater for the dry months coming up.”
Dry spell to hit key sectors – Fiji Met
AGRICULTURE, tourism and fisheries are among the sectors expected to face major challenges as Fiji enters a prolonged period of dry conditions linked to a very strong El Niño.
Speaking during an interview with The Fiji Times online portal, The Lens@177, acting director Fiji Meteorological Service Samisoni Waqavakatoga said the impact would be felt across key sectors, with
agriculture expected to be among the hardest hit.
“The sectors that will be most vulnerable are the agriculture, the tourism and fisheries – also with the energy utilities,” he said.
“With these dry conditions, we could see less rainfall in the next coming months.
“So definitely with less rainfall, the agricultural sectors with crops and production of crops, they will be most affected.”
He said warmer ocean temperatures associated with El Niño could also affect Fiji’s coral reefs and the tourism sector.
“Yes, with the warming of the sea surface, with the warming of the seas, bleaching of coral reefs, they will be impacted.
“When bleaching occurs, the corals become impacted, that affects tourism.”
Mr Waqavakatoga said visitors who come to Fiji for marine activities could be affected if coral reefs suffer damage.
“So, tourists come here to Fiji for snorkeling and diving to see our reefs and coral.
“And with that being impacted by this strong El Niño, that affects also tourism, because tourists come here for that.”
He said fisheries was also among the sectors vulnerable to the climate event.
“The sectors that will be most vulnerable are agriculture, tourism and fisheries.”
