THE National Emergency Operation Centre within the National Disaster Management Office has been activated on standby to closely liaise with the Solomon Islands Meteorological services and Provincial Disaster Management Offices in closely monitoring the impact of the current bad weather.

The tropical disturbance is located west-southwest of Rennell island, and posing threat to the Solomon Islands.

Warnings and ‘What to do Information’ is continually issued by the Solomon Islands Met service and NDMO in an effort to alert the public, because of the existing threat.

Impact report have been flooded into the NEOC since the start of the severe weather, however information received will need further verification by means of conducting the initial damage assessments, when weather permits.

In the meantime, the National Disaster Management Office would like to encourage the public to listen to the radio for regular updates on the situation.

Public are also encourage to contact the following for further updates: 955/933/977.

–NDMO PRESS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

WEEKEND’S bad weather has left few houses without roofs and damaged home kitchens in Ngella, it is reported.

However, no injury has been reported.

“Through the heavy wind and rain no matter being at night time, people continue to do repairements to their homes to last through the stormy weather,” said locals.

According to reports from Central Ngella, ships docking at Honiara have travelled across to Tulaghi Harbour to keep away from the high swells of the sea including strong winds.

Many travelling Outboard Motors (OBMs) from Central Islands Province (CIP) are still stranded in Honiara because of the current weather.

From the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service weather forecast issued yesterday, all the provinces of Solomon Islands will continue to experience heavy rain showers and isolated thunderstorms today at times which may lead to localised flooding.

“People should take precautionary measures as bad weather associated with the tropical low poses threats to lives and properties,” advises the meteorological service.

“Please listen to all radio outlets for further updates.”

The situation at 11am yesterday was a tropical low with central pressure of 992 hectopascals located near 16.2 degrees latitude south and 159.6 degrees longitude east. This is located approximately 263 nautical miles south of Rennell Island.

The low was warned to be moving south/southeast at 10 knots and will slightly intensify.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE bad weather condition has also delayed resumption of classes for the church-run school of Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) Selwyn College located at Maravovo, West Guadalcanal.

In a notice issued to parents and guardians through a Facebook group of the Church, parents and guardians were advised to keep their children at home for the time being, due to the current weather condition.

The ACOM Education will advise when to travel to school during the coming days once the weather is fine, said the notice.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

WE can empower women only if they have access to formal financial services.

The above statement was made by Solomon Postal Corporation’s Deputy CEO, Mr Alfred Ghemu who spoke to the paper about engaging women to become major agents for Post Pay, a new mobile wallet service that will not only boost their services but financially include all individuals.

Moreover, in having more women participate in the new digital payment system, he explained that they have already spoken with the West Are ‘Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) and are also currently working with SPBD to have more women get involve with the new mobile wallet service.

“Already Rokotanikeni has around 3,000 women in the rural areas. SPBD, they got 9,000 members so we are looking forward to reach more women”, he said.

On another note, Mr Ghemu stated that under their plan to bring the service to the rural areas, in two weeks’ time, their marketing team, the Our Telekom team and UK based company who introduced the mobile wallet service, Fin-Tech, will be going down to the spotted locations around the country.

He further stressed that due to insufficient staff members, they are looking at employing women and university female graduates to be part of their deployment team.

“We also want to include university female graduates as part of our team for deployment and we also want to engage women”, Mr Ghemu said.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

STRONG winds from the current bad weather in the country has caused electrical blackout yesterday for residents at Tulaghi’s National Fisheries Development (NFD) area.

This was after a tree was reported to have fallen on an electrical post at the Smoking Area.

Attempt to get information from the Solomon Power Office at Tulaghi was not possible but it is understood according to report that they are aware of the situation and are working on it.

From the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service weather forecast issued, People should take precautionary measures during this time as bad weather associated with the tropical low poses threats to lives and properties.

All the provinces of Solomon Islands will continue to experience heavy rain showers and isolated thunderstorms today at times which may lead to localised flooding.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AS this bad weather continues the Meteorological Service is keep tracking on a tropical low situation located close to Rennell Island.

According to Solomon Island Meteorology Website, at 11:00am yesterday a tropical low with a central pressure of 992 hectopascals was located near 16.2 degrees latitude south and 159.6 degrees longitude east.

This has been located approximately 263 nautical miles south of Rennell Island.

The tropical low situation is currently moving south and southeast at 10 knots and will slightly increase.

It is also expected that the situation will continue in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Associating with the tropical low situation, gale force winds (34 to 47 knots) will develop around Rennell and Bellona Islands and expected to remain southwest of Guadalcanal and Makira provinces.

The situation will also back with rough seas and moderate swells and potential coastal flooding.

Winds is expect at 15 to 25 knots increasing to 33 knots over the remaining provinces with moderate to rough seas and moderate west to northwest swells.

Heavy rain warning number 10 issued by the office of Meteorology last night stated that heavy rain is enforced for all provinces.

Warning issued that people should take precautionary measures as bad weather associated with the tropical low poses threats to lives and properties.

People living near hill slopes, close to rivers, streams and low lying areas are therefore strongly advised to take safety measures to avoid danger and loss of lives and property.

Motorists are advised to use extreme caution when travelling on road. Mariners are also advised to take extra caution when planning or travelling out in the sea.

The Office of the Meteorological Service will keep updates on the tropical low situation and its related weather conditions.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

HIGH rate of alcohol consumption in Choiseul is raising concern from women and children of the province expressing the practise as a threat.

Ms Jenny Onoto the Women’s Coordinator at Christ the King Parish Voruvoru Mission Station, Northwest Choiseul, during a recent Chiefs Leadership summit workshop highlighted the concern.

She showed in her report that alcohol consumption is one of the biggest contributing factors to a lot of anti-social behaviours amongst their communities.

“Consuming alcohol at public places and family residences causes disturbances and insecurity to women and children. Continuous practise also contributes to financial problems,” said Ms Onoto.

Ms Onoto is calling on local Chiefs and the police to help decrease the rate of alcohol consumption in their area and the province as a whole.