National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged to prepare for possible disasters and other impacts as El Nino intensifies in the Pacific Ocean.
In a social media post, NDMA said the strengthening El Nino was expected to have a significant impact on the Maldives and urged all sectors to identify potential risks and take precautionary measures.
NDMA said particular attention should be given to:
- identifying potential risks and their impacts;
- developing and reviewing business continuity plans;
- strengthening systems for the delivery of essential goods and services; and
- taking precautionary measures based on weather forecasts.
NDMA said the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) had developed guidelines outlining important practices for large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises to prepare for disasters.
Maldives Meteorological Service (MET) said last week that El Nino was intensifying in the Pacific Ocean and that temperatures were expected to remain above normal across the Maldives over the next three months.
According to MET's forecast through November, areas from Male' Atoll to Thaa Atoll are expected to receive more rainfall than usual, while the southern atolls are expected to receive less.
MET said one of the main effects of El Nino was an abnormal rise in sea surface temperatures, which could threaten lagoon ecosystems. Changes in sea currents and conditions could also affect the fishing industry.
Reduced rainfall in some areas could have an adverse impact on agriculture, the agency said.
Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific have risen about 2Celsius above normal, according to the Nino 3.4 index, with temperatures increasing by 1.8Celcius last month alone.
Although El Nino originates in the Pacific Ocean, its effects are being felt in other regions, with changes occurring in both ocean and atmospheric conditions, MET said.
