Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare has raised serious concerns over the Government’s preparedness to manage the escalating drought crisis gripping the nation.

Sogavare questioned whether the current response is adequately resourced, funded, and coordinated to meet the compounding pressures on provincial communities.

While acknowledging the activation of the National Drought Contingency Plan through the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Sogavare urged the government to confront the worsening humanitarian and environmental fallout of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, which forecasts indicate could be among the most severe on record.

“The government must move beyond routine monitoring and shift into immediate, proactive intervention,” Sogavare said.

“Communities in Western, Central, Guadalcanal, and other provinces are already reporting dried-up wells, fish kills in enclosed lagoons, and rising cases of diarrhoea from contaminated water sources,” he added.

“The time for tangible delivery is now.”

Almost all provinces are now experiencing acute water shortages, compounded by severe risks to local food security and public health.

Citing recent meteorological data, the Opposition Leader pointed out that sea-surface temperature anomalies remain well above El Niño thresholds, with conditions projected to persist into early 2027.

He warned that below-average rainfall paired with unusually low sea levels is triggering agricultural failures onshore and extreme ecological stress in coastal marine ecosystems.

To mitigate an impending public health and food emergency, Sogavare called for direct ministerial action:

• Deploy rapid-response medical teams equipped with clean water supplies, water purification supplies, and medical treatments to remote communities, schools, and rural clinics currently vulnerable to waterborne and vector-borne outbreaks such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera, and malaria.

• Distribute drought-resilient seeds and establish a targeted food relief program for farming families and rural communities facing imminent harvest failure.

He called on the government to issue a comprehensive public statement detailing the operational logistics, funding commitments, and response timelines for the national drought intervention.

Sogavare also encouraged citizens nationwide to heed official warnings issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service, urging communities to conserve water, safeguard food gardens, and adopt precautionary health measures as the country prepares for prolonged dry conditions.

In June this year, the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service declared El Niño conditions for the country.

Its September update said a strong El Niño was established and could persist into March–May 2027, increasing the risk of below-normal rainfall and drought.

A Drought Advisory Group was established to coordinate technical assessments and monitor water resources, agriculture, food security and health risks.

Early this month, the Government deployed an emergency water-relief mission to Rennell and Bellona, working with Australia, Respond Global and local authorities.

The operation includes water distribution, additional storage tanks, repairs to water systems and assessments of water sources.

Renbel was one of the most affected locations so far.