Government sets up national response plan to monitor, assess impacts as El Nino begins
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Government, through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has activated a national response plan to monitor and assess the impacts of the current El Niño conditions across in the country.
Jonathan Tafiariki, Director of NDMO and Chairman of the National Disaster Operation Committee (N-DOC) said that drought-related risks are now a key concern alongside Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Speaking to local media on Thursday this week Mr Tafiariki said that a Drought Advisory Group, established under the country’s drought contingency plan, has been convened to provide technical assessments and advice to the National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC) on the developing situation.
He said that the advisory group is co-chaired by the Director of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service and the Director of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification.
Tafiariki said that the group brings together key technical agencies who will be responsible in monitoring different sectors affected by drought and prolonged dry conditions.
“The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service is responsible for monitoring weather and rainfall patterns, while the Water Resources Management Division tracks hydrological conditions and water availability.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development monitors food security concerns, and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services oversees health issues associated with the dry season,” he said.
He adds that the activation of the drought plan has enabled technical agencies to work collectively to assess the country’s current status and identify areas vulnerable to drought impacts.
He said the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), which was activated in response to Tropical Cyclone Maila, remains operational and will also coordinate the monitoring of El Niño-related impacts nationwide.
“As a result, the National Disaster Operations Committee will be tasked with managing both the ongoing cyclone response and the country’s preparedness for drought conditions linked to El Niño,” he said.
Tafiariki said response planning is already underway, with technical agencies directed to begin assessments to determine the extent of impacts being experienced across the country and to guide future response measures.
“There is a dedicated drought contingency plan designed to address slow-onset disasters caused by prolonged rainfall deficiencies and water shortages due to the current EL Nino condition for the country,” Tafiariki said.
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