wet weather

Brace yourselves, says NCD Governor

His call follows bad weather warning issued by the National Weather Service.

He said the wild weather recently had caused havoc along the streets, with flash floods spilling onto the roads, making it difficult for commuters.

Parkop also called on residents and corporate citizens to take responsibility and ownership of the drains and waterways near their homes and properties by clearing off blockages.

Relief planned for flooded Central villages

Most affected are the areas from the Mekeo area of the province.

Yesterday the disaster coordinator and a representative from Red Cross did an aerial survey of the area.

They flew from the mouth of the Angabanga River upstream to Veifa’a, Ipiana, Amiata and the Central, West and East Mekeo area.

There was evidence of severe flooding which has since subsided while a few houses seen to have been flooded could be seen from the air.

Wet conditions will continue: Weather service

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.

Be prepared this wet season

Get comfortable so you’re not caught off-guard, cold and shivering at the end of the day.

Here are a few tips on what to do or have:

  1. Umbrella 

An umbrella is the only other accessory you must never forget. Arm yourself with something you can comfortably manoeuvre in the chaos of this weather.

The aftermath

But the aftermath of the past few days is still evident.

The Laloki River just outside NCD flooded its banks late yesterday.

It flowed into residential areas and was about waist deep by this morning.

Resident Agnes Moroi said this is a usual yearly occurrence, one that greatly affects residents of the area.

Families were forced to harvest their gardens, commuting into the area stopped and other daily routines slowed.

Some families had to relocate their livestock and find a temporary option until the flood level goes down.

Climate change slows down weather pattern

Weather forecaster at the PNG National Weather Service (PNGNWS), Leo Hawarri says climate change has slowed down the north-west monsoon period and the cyclone season.

Hawarri explained that PNG is into the cyclone season however the country is only experiencing heavy rains without strong winds due to the effects of global warming and climate change.

He said that climate change has affected the flow of the normal weather pattern delaying the strong wind pattern.

He stressed that PNG normally experiences the monsoon heavy rains and strong winds during this time.