A Coromandel settlement is preparing for a possibly prolonged and intense El Niño season as scientists say this year’s climate event may be one of the strongest in recent history.
Conditions were already dry and early messaging from Tararua District Council’s group operations manager included: "If you’ve got a pool to fill, do it now while it’s still raining."
On Wednesday, the council’s performance and monitoring committee unanimously agreed that El Niño – a naturally occurring climate pattern which redistributed the atmosphere’s existing heat – was a significant event both locally and globally.
El Niño is expected to bring a warm, dry and windy spring – putting pressure on crops, pasture, and water supplies. (Source: Breakfast)
Tararua’s chief strategic advisor Peter Wimsett said El Niño may cause unique and prolonged conditions that the council and households across the district must be proactive about but not frightened of.
Earth Sciences New Zealand warned El Niño would become "very strong" by early September as conditions in the tropical atmosphere continued to strengthen – likely becoming one of the most intense in recent history.
It caused unusually dry conditions leading to droughts, wildfires and a ground environment which wasn’t prepared to handle incoming downpours – characteristics the eastern side of the country like Tararua braced for.
The odds of "stormier than usual weather" also increased according to Earth Sciences, bringing risks of flooding and landslips across the motū despite dry conditions.
Wimsett said Tararua council should focus on strengthening its water security, preparing for strong wind events, subsequent wildfires and an increased risk of surface flooding.
He said resources should be put in place to support communities and businesses facing reduced productivity or livestock issues due to the weather, as well as ensuring rural populations weren’t further isolated.
1News meteorologist Dan Corbett explains what to expect as we enter spring. (Source: 1News)
Committee chairwoman and deputy mayor Sharon Wards said the knowledge and hindsight from past droughts would be helpful over the coming months.
Mayor Scott Gilmore said Fonterra assured him earlier this year they could transport water into the district if supplies became low.
He added it was important they looked to other eastern townships for guidance because El Niño would likely impact Tararua differently from other Horizons districts.
Group operations manager Hamish Featonby said a drought management plan was being developed and water restrictions would likely be introduced earlier than usual.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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