People living along the coastlines of Papua New Guinea (PNG) as well as those out on the islands will continue to experience strong winds and prolong rain because this is the peak of the wet season.

The National Weather Service (NWS) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has announced that the country’s wet season is always at its peak when it comes to the month of January and February, where there are systems developing in the Coral Sea as well as the Gulf of Carpentaria, and when these systems develop, low pressure develops also resulting in strong winds over the lands.

Director for National Weather Service Mr. Jimmy Gomoga, highlighted that during this peak period, it is normal to experience strong wind surges especially over the land and over the seas causing rough seas.

“For land gales or very strong winds on land, it will be felt from the Indonesian border all the way up to the islands of Samarai.”

“For now, we have weak Lalina in progress causing more rain falls over in Western Province, New Guinea Island Region, and some parts of West Sepik. Apart from these areas, other parts of the country are experiencing average to above rainfalls.”

Mr. Gomoga further elaborated that due to the low pressure, strong force winds will be felt especially during the early hours of the mornings, and the areas these will be felt is from the PNG Borders to Milne Bay along the Southern Region coastlines.

“The National Weather office urges all to stay away from sea, no fishing, no long travel between islands or from mainland to islands as accidents at sea are most likely to happen at this time.”

“All are urged to look out for weather warnings especially those along the coastal areas, any property that can be blown away by wind must be tucked in safe and firm, roofs must be carefully hammered to avoid destruction.”

“Safety is very important at this time when the wet season is at its peak in the country, people must not be confused, there is no cyclone in the area it is just the peak point of our wet season,” Mr. Gomoga reiterated.

“Prolong and heavy rains, including strong winds, should continue until the months of April and May when these weather patterns change and we transition into the dry season.”

All necessary precautions are important and must be taken at this time, thus, warnings for flood and landslides too must be adhered to at all times.