By DALCY LULUA
THE National Capital District (NCD) has officially been placed under drought status following a warning from the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service (NWS), with authorities cautioning that essential services such as water and electricity could be affected if dry conditions persist.
In its latest Drought Early Warning Status (DEWS) update issued on Wednesday, June 24, the NWS said NCD has moved into drought status based on observed three-month rainfall, vegetation health, and forecast rainfall.
The weather service also confirmed that an El Niño event has been declared and is expected to persist until early next year, bringing below-average rainfall and prolonged dry conditions across many parts of the country.
According to the update, Central, Chimbu, Enga, Hela, Manus, and Western Highlands remain under drought alert, while Eastern Highlands and Southern Highlands have recently transitioned into drought alert at the three-month timescale.
The NWS warned that prolonged dry conditions, particularly in parts of the Highlands region, are already affecting agricultural production and water resources, raising concerns over food security and access to clean water.
The agency also cautioned that dry vegetation has significantly increased the risk of bushfires in affected areas.
Authorities are urging provincial governments, disaster offices, and the public to monitor weather updates closely, conserve water where possible, and take precautionary measures to reduce the impacts of the drought and the ongoing El Niño conditions.