Communities in Simbu experiencing full impact of drought

This well used to feed 5 wards. Now there’s nothing." Youths and community leaders in Dinga show the dry water source affected by El Niño. (NBC News: Benjamin Taibe)

Simbu Province is staring down a humanitarian crisis as El Niño enters its second month, with drinking water sources drying up, food gardens failing, and bushfires destroying crops and forest.

Communities from Konoma to Dinga 1 and Dinga 2 in Suwai LLG of Sinesine-Yongomugl District are feeling the full impact of the drought.

NBC visited the area yesterday and confirmed that Simbu is now heading into its second month of drought.

While there has been some light rain, it has not been enough to revive the land. Instead, crops and drinking water sources have continued to dry up.

In Dinga, villagers are rationing every drop of water, and at Giu Primary School, classes are forced to end at 1pm because all water tanks have run dry.

Giu Primary School students sent home early due to lack of water at the school. (NBC News: Benjamin Taibe)

Joe Gilmai, the Head Teacher of Giu Primary School, said the lack of water is affecting both students and staff, and is making it difficult to maintain basic hygiene at the school.

"The few remaining drinking water sources have reduced drastically. Communities have now issued public notices for people to use water only for drinking and not for other purposes," he said.

Staple foods such as kaukau and greens have also been badly affected by the dry conditions.

Villagers at Konoma in the Dinga tribe, Sinesine-Yongomugl District, display sweet potato damaged by El Niño. (NBC News)

Mark Kerenga from Ward 11, Suwai LLG, said if the dry season continues for another month, people will be greatly affected.

"Our gardens are dying. If this continues, we will have nothing to eat," Kerenga said.

John Poiye, a young leader from Dinga 1, said the main freshwater source that serves 5 ward areas has also dried up.

He said they blocked a water source to create a well that supplied 5 ward areas, and that well has now dried up.

Water well in Dinga tribe dried up due to El Nino (NBC News)

George Waikai, Simbu Provincial Disaster Officer, said his office is aware of the situation in the province and is working to address the impacts of the severe El Niño.

Villagers say they are preparing for the worst, but are calling on the government to assist with awareness and training on how to survive such conditions, or to implement other immediate measures.