Pacific

Micronesia experiencing drought

08:51 am on 17 April 2020

Micronesia is experiencing an extensive drought, with a drier than normal seasonal trade-wind pattern over the region.

The Northern Marianas' Emergency Operations Center has issued a warning about the dry conditions, saying they could persist for the next month or two.

The Marianas Variety reports that the drought is related to El Niño/Southern Oscillation or ENSO-neutral weather conditions, and abnormally warm water near the dateline in recent months.

Much of Micronesia is affected, including Yap state, the Republic of Palau and the Mariana Islands.