27 Aug 2015

Ni-Vanuatu urged to prepare for extended dry spell

6:22 pm on 27 August 2015

People in Vanuatu have been urged to prepare for low rainfall leading into a drought that may last until next year.

The call has come from the head of the Climate Division of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department Philip Mansale who says that the 2015 El Nino phase is well established.

Despite rains in recent months, Mr Mansale is warning the public to expect a dry run in the coming months.

"The Met Service is still forecasting below normal rainfall to last in the next three months. The long term outlook is we are still expecting the El Nino to occur until the first quarter of 2016. Therefore people in Vanuatu should be really taking the information from the Met Service seriously and start preparing whatever sectors they are involved with."

Meanwhile in Port Vila, cold and dry weather is reportedly having an effect on agricultural home plots which government encouraged to cope with the devastation brought by Cyclone Pam in March.

Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: RNZ