NDC expects El Nino peak between September and October

Papua New Guinea is heading into the most critical months of the El Nino period, with the National Disaster Centre (NDC) preparing to assess whether provinces can cope with worsening conditions.

The centre expects the peak between September and December.

Acting Director of Operations and Emergency Response, Andrew Oaego says inter-agency assessment teams will begin visiting affected provinces from the end of August.

The teams will check the impact of El Nino and whether provincial authorities have enough resources to respond.

Several provinces are already on alert or watch stages, with the NDC monitoring conditions.

Oaego says the assessments are important because the level of support needed will depend on how badly individual provinces are affected.

He says provinces are expected to use their own response plans and resources first.

The NDC steps in when a disaster becomes too large for a province to manage alone.

The assessment teams will work with provincial authorities and other agencies to identify gaps and areas that may need national support.

For communities, the next few months could be critical as authorities move from monitoring conditions to checking how prepared provinces are to respond.

The centre is urging provinces to keep their response plans active and continue monitoring conditions as the El Nino peak approaches.