Do Not Panic
THE World Meteorological Organization’s July 31, 2026, update on an intensifying El Niño has prompted global headlines of a “super El Niño” and warnings of extreme weather worldwide. The language appears alarming.
Many people equate the label “super” directly with unprecedented intensity and catastrophe. That reading is misleading.
Pacific communities are not new to this natural 3-to-7-year cycle. For generations we have lived with its shifts in cyclone formation areas, intensity, droughts and floods.
These variations are often more marked in our region because of a key climate driver: the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ). The SPCZ is a long, northwest-to-southeast band of cloud, rain and wind confluence that is a major source of bad weather and cyclone genesis. Under El Niño conditions this zone oscillates, shifting its position, strength and pulse.
As it moves, rainfall and storm patterns on the ground respond accordingly — sometimes bringing dryness to one area while increasing activity elsewhere.
El Niño is graduated and localised, not a uniform disaster. The oceanic index can produce opposite extremes in neighbouring countries or even within the same island group. A strong reading does not automatically mean severe hardship everywhere.
Global media and certain UN statements often speak in broad, alarmist terms. They are not the primary authority on regional weather, climate variability or tropical cyclone behaviour. That responsibility rests with WMO-designated regional meteorological centres and national meteorological services.
These offices understand how the same index affects different nations in different, sometimes opposite, ways. Their guidance, grounded in local geography and historical patterns, is what Fiji should follow.
For our country the practical picture remains clear: elevated cyclone risk for the Central and Eastern Divisions, with systems more likely to approach from the northeast; reduced risk in the West; and heightened drought potential across the western sugar-cane belt.
Preparation should be calm, targeted and based on advice from our own meteorological experts — not on global headlines.
El Niño is a familiar feature of Pacific life. We have navigated its rhythms before and can do so again through practical steps, not panic.
Dr Sushil K Sharma, Lautoka
Excitement on the rugby pitch
RUGBY lovers around the country enjoyed a grand treat this weekend.
The 2026 Marama Championship kicked off as Nadi played Kadavu, Rewa battled Naitasiri and Lautoka faced off with Nadroga.
In the Skipper Cup, defending champions Malolo faced Taveuni, Rewa hosted Naitasiri, Navosa played Tailevu, Nadi hosted Kadavu, Suva battled Ba while Nadroga took on Lautoka.
I must commend the Fiji Rugby Union for increasing the number of teams in the top division.
This will create competition as players will fight for a spot in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team. This is the way forward.
In the eliminations of this year’s Deans, the U-18 grade saw a tough battle as the national eliminations kicked off.
The battle between Eastern Zone champions Lelean and Marist Brothers, the fourth ranked team from the South, was a thrill just as the crunch match between Eastern Zone runners-up RKS and the third-ranked Southern team Ratu Sukuna Memorial.
As expected, there was a bumper crowd as old scholars and parents and guardians filled the stand to the brim to support their loved ones ready to put their bodies on the line.
While some schools are crying foul over new registration rules, let the competition be decided by performance on the field.
Wishing the schools and provincial rugby teams all the best! Rugby is on the rise! Let’s support our future rugby stars! Toso Viti!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Man of the people
IN the blogsite Grubsheet Feejee, there is a photo of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, dressed in a full Western suit, seated in a cushioned armchair and being carried on the shoulders of indigenous Fijians in traditional regalia.
I couldn’t help but think that Rabuka has been taking a political ride on the backs of indigenous Fijians for a very long time.
Judging by the symbolism of the photograph, it appears that this political journey may continue for as long as his health permits.
Supporters would no doubt say that Fiji is fortunate to have such a “man of the people” as its leader.
Fijians are blessed to have such a “Man of the People” as their leader.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Cheers to Judith!
I REFER to the letter (FT 31/7) from Jaheed Buksh of Korolevu who has been complaining to the Fiji Roads Authority about streetlights since March this year.
I offer this advice to all who need to contact a government department.
Never, ever send a government department an email as it will almost always be ignored and nothing will be done; in fact, it might well be that the inbox you sent it to is full – yes, that happens.
Your questions will remain unanswered; your request for an explanation will be disregarded, and your complaint will be ignored.
Government servants obviously dislike emails because they cannot be lost and worse, they should be acted upon — heaven forbid!
Jaheed, please phone the FRA on 310-0114 and your call will be answered by a lady named Judith, who is not only helpful, but polite and friendly too and she actually does what she says she will do.
She will contact the electricity division, ensure you are given a complaint number, and those streetlights will be fixed.
Amazingly, if she says she will call you back – she will!
If our Government were run by ladies like Judith, we’d be the best!
SUE CAUTY Pacific Harbour
Accurate description
IN your article, “Cabinet approved $5000 fee” (1/8/26), the COI commissioner is described as a “retired Australian judge”. This is incorrect.
David Ashton-Lewis is indeed an Australian, but although he served as a judge in Fiji in the 1990s, he has never been a judge in Australia.
He may therefore be more accurately described as an “Australian retired judge”.
A small distinction, perhaps, but one that is not necessarily insignificant.
MICHAEL SCOTT Lautoka
Warning notice
THE location near Vatukarasa Village in Nadroga where recent rescue efforts took place urgently needs a warning sign on the Suva side of the beach.
A simple notice reading “Danger: Strong Undercurrent — No Swimming” could alert unsuspecting visitors.
The water may appear calm and inviting, but appearances can be dangerously deceptive. It would be far better to prevent a tragedy than to react after someone has lost their life.
Imagine if the next incident ended in a fatality, especially if the victim were a tourist.
The consequences would extend beyond one grieving family and could damage Fiji’s reputation as a safe holiday destination.
Thankfully, the family whose son was rescued has a story of relief and gratitude about coming to wonderful Fiji.
SAM YOUNG Nadi
External threats
AUSTRALIAN High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts informs us that “its defence alliance with Fiji is aimed solely at responding to external threats and does not provide for military intervention during domestic political instability” (FT, 1/8/26).
Fiji has shown itself to be more than capable of keeping the unarmed civilian population under control during periods of domestic political instability, including keeping pro-democracy activists and peaceful protesters in check.
No, Australia is not needed in that department at all.
And what, exactly, are the “external threats” to Fiji? Or are they, in fact, threats to American hegemony in the Pacific region, with Australia acting as its lapdog?
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Handcuffing in public
THE Fiji Times has published several photographs of people arriving at courthouses with their hands cuffed behind their backs.
Among them was a former CEO and another was a civil servant. Neither had any previous convictions, nor any record of attempting to escape custody. As may plainly be seen, neither presented any apparent risk of absconding.
What, therefore, is the purpose of parading these individuals before the public in handcuffs, other than to humiliate them?
Perhaps too much exposure to American television has begun to erode our own values and sense of dignity.
MICHAEL SCOTT Lautoka
Our golden weightlifter
OUR sensational weightlifter, Taniela Rainibogi, created history at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by winning the gold medal in the 110kg division and breaking three Commonwealth Games records.
Rainibogi claimed gold ahead of England’s Cyrille Tchatchet and Canada’s Xavier Lusignan.
It was a proud moment for Team Fiji and the entire nation.
Tears rolled down Rainibogi’s face as the national anthem was played, reflecting the immense pride and passion he has for our beloved Fiji.
I am incredibly proud of this outstanding young athlete and urge the Ministry of Sports to appropriately reward Rainibogi for his remarkable achievement on the international stage.
His success is an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country and deserves national recognition.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
