THE dry weather is expected to continue until March next year, later than the January forecast previously predicted.
Fiji Meteorological Service senior scientific officer (climate) Arieta Daphne said the effects of the prolonged dry spell would not disappear immediately as the El Niño event weakened.
“Even if you have the event dying out, you will still be able to feel the impacts in some parts of the country,” she said.
Ms Daphne said the current El Niño event was expected to peak around late November or December.
“We recorded below-normal to well-below-normal rainfall in most parts of the country since July, with the dry conditions continuing through August, September and October.”
She said communities needed to remain alert to changing weather conditions and prepare for the prolonged effects.
“Water carting services are already taking place in affected communities and are likely to continue even after the event begins to weaken.”
She urged families to start storing water and prepare for worsening conditions, with dry weather expected to persist until the first three months of 2027.
