Extreme drought driven by an historic El Niño is affecting as many as 8 million people in Papua New Guinea, causing severe shortages of food, water, electricity, and schooling disruptions, The Guardian reported. An influential coalition including churches, trade unions, and business groups declared the Pacific nation is experiencing a national crisis with no coordinated plan in place to protect vulnerable communities.
Drought Paralyzes Rivers and Family Food Gardens
Residents and community leaders report that rivers and creeks have dried up completely. Family food gardens, which serve as a vital source of nutrition and income, have shrivelled under the intense heat. Schools and health facilities are forced to close early because they lack sufficient water to provide basic services.
In the capital of Port Moresby, PNG Power initiated planned electricity blackouts after falling dam levels cut hydropower generation. The utility stated that these disruptions could continue for up to 10 months while operators manage dam releases to protect the city’s municipal water supply.
Rural Communities Face Severe Food Insecurity and Rising Risks
In rural highland areas, families are rationing food to a single meal a day, according to Emilly Meren, humanitarian projects manager at CARE International in PNG. Food insecurity is triggering localized disputes between families as supplies dwindle.
“For women and girls, they are expected to do more to support their families,” Meren said, noting they are often the last to eat because they serve others first. She added that women must travel three to four hours to source water and food, exposing them to heightened risks of harassment, including reports of transactional sex exchanging intimacy for money or food.
Weather Service Confirms Historic El Niño Shift
The El Niño climate pattern is gaining strength in the tropical Pacific, with forecasts indicating it could become the strongest ever recorded, its impacts worsened by global heating. Some regions of Papua New Guinea have received less than a quarter of their usual rainfall since August.
The PNG National Weather Service declared the onset of El Niño in June. Assistant Director Kasis Inape stated that much of the country was already in drought by that point, affecting approximately 8 million people. Inape explained that warm tropical waters normally feed heavy rains across the island, but the El Niño shift eastward has left the nation starved of precipitation.
Local Impacts Across Bulolo, Leklu, and Enga
In Morobe province’s Bulolo district, smaller rivers have dried up, leaving residents without access to water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Local resident Theophil Zarack noted that schools and health centres operate for only half a day, and some clinics have stopped accepting inpatients entirely.
Government Prepares for Prolonged Dry Season
Prime Minister James Marape directed provincial and district authorities to prepare for a prolonged dry season. He announced that his government is examining financial arrangements to support disaster responses and tailor provisions to help local regions react as emergencies unfold.
Peter Aitsi, co-chair of the Community Coalition Against Corruption, urged the government to carry out proper assessments of the unfurling impacts, particularly in rural areas. Aitsi noted that while urban centres have been mostly shielded, they could soon face disruptions from electricity blackouts and shrinking fresh food supplies, alongside a smoke haze covering the capital from regional fires.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PNG Drought
What caused the current drought in Papua New Guinea?
The drought is driven by an historic El Niño climate pattern that has caused warm tropical waters to shift east, starving the rain-fed nation of precipitation since August. The impacts are further intensified by global heating.
How many people are currently affected by the water and food shortages?
The PNG National Weather Service reports that approximately 8 million people have been affected across the country by water scarcity, agricultural failures, and disrupted public services.
Why are schools and health facilities shutting down early?
Hospitals, health clinics, and educational institutions lack sufficient water to maintain daily operations. In districts like Bulolo, clinics have stopped accepting inpatients and facilities operate for only half a day.