National Weather Service (NWS)

The signing of the MoA between WaterAid PNG, and the National Weather Service (NWS) will allow the rollout and installation of five automated weather stations in East Sepik Province.

NWS Director, Jimmy Gomoga, acknowledged all partners including the Australian Government. He also thanked Governor of East Sepik, Allan Bird for his initiative. According to Earth Networks, the automated weather stations most commonly report on surface weather observations:

1. Temperature

2. Wind Speed

3. Wind Direction

4. Precipitation

5. Humidity

This is according to the National Weather Service (NWS). It says this will put many communities at risk of drought leaving plenty without food and water in the coming months.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s Lazarus Dawa says that informing communities nationwide to preserve and conserve food and water supplies must start now before the start of the forecasted dry season come March 2024.

Minister Nukundj clarified their pay levels and benefits evolved since the start of the last decade, where they wanted to maintain their salary levels even after they had been paid out their original Civil Aviation Authority Salary Fixation Agreement Entitlements.

In a statement released earlier this week, Minister Nukundj confirmed having an audience with the weather officers on several different occasions.

However, their actions to stop work portray arrogance and are demeaning after necessary steps were undertaken to resolve their salary discrepancies.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says the slightly weak La Nina conditions will prevail through February, March and April.

This week though, there is a high possibility of a cyclone forming in the Coral Sea that might see very strong winds experienced in the Southern Region.

Currently there is a tropical depression located in the Coral Sea but it will move further southeast and may develop into a tropical cyclone.