Savu & Rai Jua News - Feb '05

Drought on Savu caused by El Niño

Eastern Indonesia is suffering drier-than-average conditions due to El Niño (NOAA). As a result, farmers on Savu & Rai Jua have not been able to plant crops, which would normally be up to half a metre tall by now. Even if the rains come this month, it is already too late for planting, as the dry season is fast approaching. The unusual weather patterns have already caused hardship, with huge cyclone swells preventing local fishermen and smaller ferries from setting to sea and bad weather causing some flights to and from Savu to be cancelled.

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