With just a few weeks remaining before Semester Two begins, the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) says it has activated contingency measures to prepare for the potential impacts of El Niño after the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service officially declared El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific.
The weather agency confirmed this week that El Niño conditions are now established and are expected to persist until at least the end of 2026, with forecasts indicating a strong to very strong event comparable to the 1997/98 and 2015/16 El Niño episodes.
Speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG, UPNG Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay, said the university has already implemented measures to minimize disruptions should dry conditions affect essential services on campus.
“We are not sure if El Niño is coming or not. There are some indications that El Niño is heading towards Papua New Guinea, although weather patterns are always very difficult to predict.”
“UPNG is fully prepared for an El Niño event. We have purchased a number of water tanks to prepare us in case the El Niño effect disrupts our water supply.”
Professor Findlay said the university is also exploring additional water sources through bore development to strengthen water security on campus.
“We are exploring water bores. We also have contingency and reserve redundancy for our electrical supplies.”
The Vice Chancellor added that UPNG has strengthened its digital infrastructure to ensure learning and administrative services remain operational during any disruptions.
“We have redundancy for our internet supplies; we have two separate connections for our main internet, and then we have a third redundancy for our internet supplies.”
He said the university has already developed comprehensive contingency plans and remains ready to respond should conditions worsen.
“The university has already developed contingency plans for El Niño should El Niño come to PNG, so we're ready.”
Historically, El Niño brings prolonged dry conditions, higher temperatures, reduced stream flows, frost in higher altitude areas, and an increased risk of drought across many parts of PNG.
Furthermore, the National Weather Service has urged communities, government agencies, businesses, and institutions across the country to begin preparations for extended dry weather conditions as climate models continue to indicate the likelihood of a significant El Niño event.
UPNG’s early preparations place the institution among organizations taking proactive steps to reduce the potential impact of water shortages, and service disruptions should dry conditions intensify in the months ahead.
