The Nadi Meteorological Centre made this revelation as it continued to monitor the
climatic conditions on a weekly basis to identify signs of an El Nino.
Climate change specialist Simon McGee said most of the international climate models
continued to predict further development of the El Nino, although not emphatically as a
month or two ago.
He said this weather condition was developing slowly and had not reached a threshold to
become an El Nino, yet.
"The El Nino computer models are still predicting an El Nino condition in the later part
of 2009 -- and it could be as soon as next month," Mr. McGee said.
"We are continuously monitoring the situation and we are in regular contact with weather
centres in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, also holding teleconferences
twice a month to update and discuss the situation here as it develops," he said.
Director Meteorological Centre Rajendra Prasad revealed that around 80 per cent of El
Nino resulted in droughts in Fiji.
"These range from mild to very severe events, for example, the droughts (in Fiji) in 1983,
1987 and 1998," Mr. Prasad said.
Mr. Prasad said people should prepare for below normal rainfall, surface and ground
water in the coming months.
"Plant crops that demand less water, invest in water storage containers, example, rain
water tanks and control burning, which could easily get out of control in dry areas," he
said.