The PNG National Weather Service has already declared El Nino over the country as of 19th September and this will continue into the dry season in 2024. That’s from the National Weather Service Director Mr. Jimmy Gomoga. “A look at the Ocean Conditions, El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), all requirements have been fulfilled and that is that the threshold for El Nino have been reached.” “However, despite having El Nino, the Southern Hemisphere Spring has kicked in on the 13th of September and we are currently in the spring season.” Gomoga told PNG HAUSBUNG that we are gradually moving into the wet season now and with the wet season kicking in around late November towards early December the impact of the El Nino drought will not be felt as much during the wet season. “With the wet season, it should ease down on the impacts of drought, however come 2024-2025, dry season will be the hardest times.” He added that they have already put out the drought map and observing provinces that are now under drought watch. “The places expected to be hit worse by El Nino drought are Western Province, Gulf, Southern Highlands Province, parts of Highlands regions, Central Province, Milne Bay and Northern Province and they are currently under watch.” “The El Nino drought is expected to be severe than before, and it will not only affect those provinces under drought watch, but it will be wide spread and almost all the parts of the country.” Gomoga urged all to prepare for the worse in the coming drought as this time the country will have a very bad dry season.