By Salwin Chris
UPNG Journalism Student
Pacific communities and key sectors have been urged to prepare immediately for the impacts of the strong 2026–2027 El Niño, with warnings not to wait for November before taking steps to protect families, property, water supplies and essential assets.
Litea Biukoto, deputy director of disaster and water resources at the Pacific Community (SPC), delivered the warning during an El Niño press conference at Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby, stressing the importance of early preparation as the region faces prolonged dry conditions and other climate-related risks.
“Get ready. That would be the message to our communities and to our sectors,” Ms Biukoto said.
She said households, communities and organisations should use the time available to identify practical measures to reduce the potential impacts of the climate event.
“Don’t wait for November to roll in before you start taking action,” she warned.
Ms Biukoto particularly highlighted the need to protect communal water resources, which are increasingly important as parts of the Pacific experience below-normal rainfall and declining water availability.
She urged communities to assess how their shared water sources could be safeguarded before conditions deteriorate further.
“The question earlier around water resources, for communal water resources now would be the time to actually think about how you can actually protect them if they aren’t?” she said.
Her warning comes as climate authorities forecast that El Niño conditions will persist into 2027, with rainfall shortages expected to continue in parts of the western and southwestern Pacific.
The effects could extend beyond water shortages, placing pressure on agriculture, livelihoods, infrastructure and other essential services across the region.
Ms Biukoto’s message emphasised that preparation should begin before conditions worsen, giving families, communities and sectors time to protect their resources and reduce potential losses.