The National Weather Services is currently monitoring a tropical depression, a system that is developing just North of Australia and Indonesia, however it has not reached the Tropical cyclone threshold yet. With the system still developing the National Weather Services has now issued strong wind warnings for the Southern Region, from Western Province all the way to the Milne Bay Province. The winds have reached the strong wind threshold and is now under monitor for the next few days, 48- 72 hrs, if it reaches the cyclone threshold or wind magnitude then the National Weather office will provide advisories and then issue warnings. Duty Forecaster Mr Carter Guri told PNG HAUSBUNG that strong Northwest winds of about 25-30 knots are expected to persist thus causing very rough seas. “Word of advice to small crafts and boats that they are expected to take precaution before going out to sea”. “Associated wave heights can go as high as 3 to 4 metre high, this can lead to possible accidents at sea.” The National Weather Services has also issued warnings for Coral Sea, Solomon Sea, Bismark Sea and the Pacific Ocean indicating that is not safe to travel out to sea because of the Northeast and Northwest winds that will be accompanied with isolated showers and thunderstorm. People are urged to listen in to their local radio stations for daily weather updates and warnings from the National Weather Services. Also, word of advice and warning for the people of Southern Highlands and Hela Province to be on alert for possible landslides and flash floods around this time. “With the strong winds and low-pressure circulations developing over the Southern part of Papua New Guinea and the Northern part of Australia as well as the Northwest winds from Indonesia side, this will directly impact Western Province, Tabubil and Telefomin”. “Thus, Southern Highlands Province and Hela are closer to Western Province, Tabubil and Telefomin, so this indicates that these two provinces are in the part way of the strong winds therefore strong winds hitting them will definitely associate with very heavy rains which may lead to natural disasters.” In the meantime, the wet season should stop around late March or early April as April is when the dry season kicks off.