Photo: NIWA
Climate forecasters are predicting below normal rainfall levels for several Pacific Island nations over the next three months on top of an already unusually dry period.
New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) says New Caledonia and Vanuatu, which have recently experienced well below normal rainfall levels in some areas, will continue to experience below normal levels.
In what might be a slight reprieve for Papua New Guinea, which has borne the brunt of El Niño, the forecast is for normal or below normal rainfall.
The Water Watch update says Solomon Islands will receive below normal rainfall for the next three months.
Fiji and Tonga will also receive below normal rainfall, while normal or below normal rainfall is forecast for the Southern Cook Islands.
Niue, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Wallis and Futuna will also get less rain than usual.
