drought

However, reports from experts have indicated that water and food shortages remain critical in parts of Papua New Guinea, such as Western Province and Milne Bay Province, amid a prolonged drought.

A specialist in PNG agriculture and food, Dr Mike Bourke, explained that large parts of the south had still not had any significant rain since the drought began.

Dr Bourke, who is an honorary associate professor at the Australian National University, said the drought situation remained bad in Western Province where many remote communities remain malnourished.

The El Nino-linked drought, which began in the middle of last year, appears to finally be over in some parts of PNG, following recent bouts of rain.

However, a specialist in PNG agriculture and food, Mike Bourke, explained that large parts of the south had still not had any significant rain since the drought began.

Dr Bourke, who is an honorary associate professor at the Australian National University, said the drought situation remained bad in Western Province where many remote communities remain malnourished.

The family now sleeps on the floor of their shack.

All that's left to sell are the pots she uses to cook over a fire pit, when there's something to eat.

The 28-year-old mother of four, is among roughly 1.5 million Haitians who can't get nearly enough nutrition because of a yearslong drought that has spoiled harvests in her small mountain village and across large sections of the countryside.

Eda Ranu general manager commercial services Paul Gore told Loop PNG “current consumption for (water) will last for nine months before the level hits the 50 Million Cubic Metres (Mm3).

Dam owner, PNG Power states the measurement recording on Tuesday at 100 Mm3, which is 29.6 percent of the 340 Mm3 capacity of the reservoir (http://www.looppng.com/content/sirinumu-water-level-keeps-dropping).   

Gore said water rationing will continue indefinitely at this stage.   

Sister Mary McCarthy of the Catholic Education said media reports had shown just how much of an impact the drought has had with men, women and children starving, getting sick and dying.

She said requesting the help of Australia through the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is one way relief supplies can get to the hard-hit communities within a short time.

“It has the capacity including helicopters to reach almost any community in PNG and its mission is to respond immediately when disaster strikes.

However the operations manager of the National Disaster Management Office says despite receiving positive reports from some of the areas most affected by months of drought his office remains vigilant and will be monitoring the situation as the rains cease.

Peter Korisa says he feels that some communities will have benefited more than others from the short period of heavy rain.

Dr Bourke said the water shortage became a reality earlier during the drought and was widespread, causing difficulties for people to get sufficient and safe water for drinking and washing. 

This increased the labour tasks for women and girls to travel long distances looking for water, he added. 

Many communities found it "difficult to wash their bodies and clothes" and there were instances of "increase in skin and internal diseases," said Dr Bourke, who is also a senior research fellow at the Australian National University. 

However, about 1.7 million requires food assistance and access to portable water.

According to NDC Acting Director Martin Mose, to date, the government has provided the much needed food assistance to approximately 40 percent of the most affected communities. 

He said although some progress has been made in providing water supply to communities that are easily accessible, majority of places facing water insecurity remains without the much needed assistance.

Sisi Namari who hails from Berebei Village in the Sirinumu area of the Koiari LLG said there is no need to panic as yet.

Namari said the water level had dropped because of the long drought but the water level is not bad like in 1997.

Noonex Ano, another local made the same remarks.

The dam water catchment area is the only source of drinking water for Port Moresby residents.

Also it is used by the owner, PNG Power, to generate hydro-electricity for its consumers also.  

This follows scientific reports that the long dry spell will last another 12 months and that available resources such as water and food may become scarce, pushing people to the edge of poverty and starvation.

Opposition Leader  Don Polye says necessary preparations must be made to prepare the city and the country to survive the prolonged El Nino period.

Mr Polye says reports by Eda Ranu, the water supplier, that the Sirinumu  dam had about 35% of water remaining to keep the city going till mid next year must not be taken lightly.