19 May 2015

Tonga prepares for more months of drought

9:03 am on 19 May 2015

The Tonga Red Cross Society says it's trying to educate the community to use water wisely, as the country prepares for more months of drought.

The Tonga Metservice says Tonga has been experiencing drought conditions for eight months, and with El Nino declared, more dry weather is expected over the next six months.

Taro in Samoa not growing well because of drought.

Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The secretary general for the Tonga Red Cross Society, Sione Taumoefolau, says Eua island, with about 7 thousand people, is currently suffering the most from the dry weather.

"The most concern island at the moment is Eua. Their town water is not working at all. A lot of water catchment is run out at the moment. But in Nukualofa also we can see the changes of the weather now, that are a little bit dry now."

The secretary general for the Tonga Red Cross Society, Sione Tuamoefolau.