SYDNEY, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least five provinces in Papua New Guinea are experiencing dry weather during what is usually the start of the yearend wet season, with the lower rainfall possibly affecting food and fisheries production, according to meteorological authorities.
Some of the provinces were receiving "10 percent of rainfall while others have 20 to 70 percent of expected rainfall," National Weather Service director Samuel Maiha was quoted as saying by local media on Wednesday.
The lower rainfall was a sign of the El Nino weather phenomenon, with warm sea surface temperatures moving away from the country and the cooling of the surrounding waters, The National newspaper quoted Maiha as saying.
"This means there is less availability of moisture and subsequent rainfall," he said.
The dry weather could impact food production and security, water resources and fisheries in the affected areas, he said.
Kiunga, normally the wettest area with the highest rainfall, was recording dry weather while capital Port Moresby remained the driest district, according to the paper.
