Four long-established climate monitoring stations in Fiji recorded their lowest October rainfall totals on record last month, highlighting the severity of the dry conditions affecting parts of the country.
The Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Services revealed that Nadi Airport, Yasawa-i-Rara, Viwa and Rotuma all recorded unprecedented low rainfall during October 2026.
Nadi Airport received just 0.3 millimetres of rainfall throughout the month, breaking its previous October record of 1.8mm set in 1942.
Yasawa-i-Rara recorded only 0.4mm, significantly below its previous record of 26.3mm established in 1950.
Viwa also experienced exceptionally dry conditions, recording just 0.6mm compared with its previous lowest October rainfall of 1.9mm in 1978.
Rotuma recorded 29.2mm, breaking a record that had stood for more than a century. Its previous lowest October rainfall was 80mm, recorded in 1912.
According to Fiji Met, El Niño events are typically associated with suppressed rainfall across Fiji.
“El Niño events are typically associated with suppressed rainfall across Fiji,” the meteorological service stated.
It confirmed that all four long-established climate stations had recorded their lowest October rainfall totals on record.
The figures highlight the extent of the rainfall deficit experienced across parts of Fiji, with some stations receiving less than one millimetre of rain during the entire month.
