Fiji warns of worsening water shortages ahead of cyclone season

SUVA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Fiji is bracing for worsening water shortages as a strengthening El Nino is expected to bring drier conditions in the coming months, the Fiji Meteorological Service has warned.

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 21, 2026, shows the bayside scenery in Suva, Fiji. (Photo: Xinhua)

Shweta Shiwangni, a scientific officer at the service, told local media on Wednesday that the El Nino event had become established in the tropical Pacific and was expected to intensify, increasing the risk of prolonged dry conditions as Fiji enters the 2026-2027 tropical cyclone season, which runs from November to April.

Rainfall toward the end of November could ease dry conditions in the Western Division, but significant rainfall remains uncertain and may depend on the development of a low-pressure system or tropical disturbance near Fiji, she said.

Shiwangni urged communities already facing water shortages to seek water deliveries through relevant authorities and collect rainwater wherever possible.

Meanwhile, Fiji could be affected by two to three tropical cyclones during the upcoming season, with one or two potentially reaching Category Three or higher, according to the Meteorological Service.

The Northern and Eastern divisions have historically experienced greater cyclone impacts during El Nino conditions, Shiwangni said, while warning that all parts of the country could face destructive winds, heavy rainfall and flooding.

Authorities have urged residents to secure their homes, clear gutters and drains, prepare emergency supplies and identify evacuation centers.

Farmers have been advised to move livestock to higher ground when flooding threatens, while businesses in flood-prone areas should take steps to protect infrastructure.