Official warns of flooding, landslides

National
National Weather Service acting director Jimmy Gomoga showing the sessional forecast for this month in Port Moresby on his computer yesterday. – Nationalpic by KELVIN JOE

By KELVIN JOE
PEOPLE are advised to take precautions for possible flooding, landslides and rising water levels in low-lying areas and along the coastlines as the wet season continues.
National Weather Service acting director Jimmy Gomoga said the northwest monsoon (wet season) was at its peak.
“Tropical cyclone season for PNG coincides with the wet season and is from November to April each year,” he said.
Gomoga said the risk of tropical cyclone was above normal this season.
“Formation of any tropical cyclone will enhance north-west monsoon surges and heavy rain causing flooding, landslides and rising water levels in the low lying areas inland and along the coastline,” he said.
“This could have adverse effects on the food and water security and other associated sectors, including health-related issues such as disease outbreak and damage to public infrastructure.”
Gomoga said a weak atmospheric wave, Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) of 30-60 days will be passing over the region, bringing more rainfall across the country.
The MJO is the major fluctuation in tropical weather on weekly to monthly timescales.
“Most parts of the country should receive some rainfall this week and it is anticipated that by the end of this month or early next month, there should be an increase in rainfall across the country,” Gomoga said.
According to a statement from his office, La Nina had peaked and weakening as it was typical for it (wet condition) to influence PNG climate.
“La Nina tends to increase the likelihood of above-average rainfall across much of south-eastern coasts of PNG during the wet season months while New Guinea Islands tends to receive below average rainfall.”