PM urges Samoa to be prepared for the impacts of El Nino

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 23 October 2026 – Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt is urging the country to be prepared for the worst as the impact of El Nino continues to threaten for a predicted 8 months.

Iin his ministerial speech in Parliament, he reiterated the importance of heeding the warnings and the danger posed by the ensuing El Nino phenomenon.

“We are seeing evidence of El Nino through drought, homes and bush fires and challenges to our peoples livelihood,” he said.

He said the Samoa Meteorology Division (SMD) has advised government agencies, village communities, businesses, and the public that the El Niño conditions continue across the tropical Pacific and are expected to persist over the coming months.

For Samoa, El Niño, commonly associated with below-normal rainfall, above-normal temperatures, prolonged dry periods, and an increased risk of drought have already killed root crops such as taro and banana trees especially in low lying and coastal areas.

These dry conditions have already placed pressure on water supplies, agriculture, public health, energy production, and the natural environment.

Fire & Emergency Services putting out a fire at Maluafou earlier this month.

Government takes action
One of the Government’s action plans now in place includes providing ten water trucks each to cater for expected water shortage in Savaii and Upolu Islands.

He also outlined the plan to provide water tanks to all families and call for all Samoa to stand and work together to address the oncoming climate challenges.

Some of the district councils – Fono Faavae have already taken the first step by investing in water tanks.

All government agencies, businesses, communities, and households are encouraged to take precautionary measures, including conserving water, protecting crops and livestock, avoiding unnecessary burning during dry conditions, and safeguarding vulnerable people from heat-related illnesses.

FESA putting out dry weather bush fires in Savaii.

El Nino and tropical cyclones
The Samoa Meteorology Division states that El Niño influences tropical cyclone activity across the Southwest Pacific, and Samoa faces an elevated risk of tropical cyclone impacts during the 2026–2027 cyclone season.

Since the Ministry declared the El Niño conditions in the Pacific region in July, rainfall have shown a major decline trend.

Reports also noted that the majority of meteorological observation stations in July recorded normal to below-normal rainfall, followed by well-below-normal rainfall in August, making it one of the driest months on record in Samoa.

September rainfall ranged from normal to below normal. These monthly rainfall patterns clearly indicated impacts of the El Nino event.

Climate Outlook and Potential Impacts
The Meteorology Division continues to monitor oceanic and atmospheric conditions and assess the latest climate forecasts and the public is encouraged to prepare for the possibility of continued dry conditions and warmer-than-normal temperatures in the coming months.

“As Samoa approaches the 2026–2027 Tropical Cyclone Season starting in November, communities are also reminded to remain prepared for severe weather and tropical cyclones, regardless of prevailing El Niño conditions.

The Samoa Meteorology Division continues to monitor El Niño through Samoa’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) and provide updated climate outlooks, drought advisories, weather warnings, and tropical cyclone information as new guidance becomes available.