Papua New Guinea drought threatens millions as El Niño triggers crisis

National Crisis in Papua New Guinea as Drought Threatens Millions

An historic El Niño-driven drought is severely impacting an estimated 8 million people across Papua New Guinea, triggering widespread shortages of food, drinking water, and electricity while forcing early closures of schools and health facilities. The unfolding disaster has left rural highland families rationing food to a single daily meal, according to CARE International, while urban centers face prolonged power cuts as hydropower generation drops.

The unfolding crisis was highlighted by The Guardian, which reported that communities across the Pacific nation are grappling with shrivelled family food gardens and completely dried-up rivers and creeks. The PNG National Weather Service officially declared the onset of El Niño in June, though assistant director Kasis Inape noted that much of the country was already experiencing dryness by that time due to warm tropical waters shifting east.

Widespread Water Scarcity and Parched Agriculture

In Morobe province’s Bulolo district, smaller waterways have vanished entirely, leaving residents without access to basic water for cooking, drinking, and washing. Local resident Martha Zureno described walking for miles every afternoon past dry riverbeds to fetch water from across the village, noting that all local crops have died and gold-panning income has ground to a halt.

Compounding the dry conditions, parts of Enga province experienced a destructive hailstorm that buried sweet potatoes under ice, further tightening food supplies in the highlands. Prime Minister James Marape has directed provincial and district authorities to prepare for a prolonged dry season, stating that his cabinet is examining financial mechanisms to support immediate disaster response at the local level.

Humanitarian Strains and Food Insecurity

Humanitarian conditions in rural areas have deteriorated sharply as subsistence farmers watch their rain-fed crops fail. Emilly Meren, humanitarian projects manager at CARE International in PNG, stated that women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, often walking three to four hours to source water while eating last and facing heightened risks of harassment and transactional survival pressures.

In the capital city of Port Moresby, PNG Power initiated planned electricity blackouts after dropping dam levels crippled hydropower output. Peter Aitsi, co-chair of the Community Coalition Against Corruption, warned that while urban areas were initially shielded, the capital is now experiencing smoke haze from regional fires alongside impending urban shortages of fresh produce transported from the drought-hit interior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which areas of Papua New Guinea are experiencing the worst water shortages?

Rural highland communities and areas such as Morobe province’s Bulolo district are among the hardest hit, where families must walk miles to find water because local rivers and personal wells have completely dried up.

How long are the power outages in Port Moresby expected to last?

PNG Power warned that planned electricity blackouts in the capital could continue for up to ten months as operators carefully manage dwindling reservoir levels to preserve municipal water supplies.

What is causing the severe lack of rainfall across the country?

The severe dry spell is driven by an El Niño climate pattern that has caused warm tropical waters to shift eastward, depriving the rain-dependent Pacific nation of its usual seasonal precipitation.