The current El Nino has been dubbed as potentially one of the worst droughts faced in Papua New Guinea (PNG), according to the Chairman of Pacific Climate Change Network, Dr. Simon McGree.

The Dr said this during the Pacific Islands Climate and Ocean and Stakeholders 19th regional meeting held in Port Moresby city yesterday. 

Dr McGree said that the current El Nino is at advanced stages and with the oceans heating up and high atmospheric pressures it is likely to exceed all other droughts that PNG has experienced, including the benchmark 1997-1998 disaster.

“An El Nino was declared in June 2026, and that El Nino continues to occur and is currently at near record levels. This El Nino is likely to exceed all other El Ninos since 1950,” he said.

He added that while some may argue that 1998 drought was stronger, the 2026 one will exceed that as climate change, higher population, inflation and less water availability creates higher risks and negative impacts.

“We quite often use the strong 1997 to 1998 as a benchmark for impact as a strong El Nino event, but the Pacific has changed since. In addition to climate change, we are seeing a lot warmer water across the pacific and in air temperatures, we are seeing less than normal and high temperatures. “

“We have also seen an increase in population across many pacific countries particularly the Melanesian countries. There are more people living along the coast but at the same time there has been little change in water availability. So, the disaster impact associated with El Nino, combined with a higher population and reduced resources, creates a higher risk. Also, the planet is 0.5% warmer than it was in 1998.”

He further added that according to records and statistics, the El Nino is likely to continue until March of 2027 or possibly go into June.