Below normal amounts of rainfall is still to be expected in the CNMI in the coming months, according to the latest drought information statement released by the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, \u201cConditions in April have been very dry with computer models indicating below normal rainfall over the next few months\u201d in the CNMI.<\/p>\n
Through the first half of April, NWS noted a rainfall of only 0.10 inch in Saipan, 0.30 inch in Tinian, and 0.29 inch in Rota, all not even reaching 30 percent normal for the month.<\/p>\n
NWS added that \u201conly a quarter inch or less of rain will fall through the next five days at Rota\u201d and \u201cTinian and Saipan with less than a half inch of rain expected through the next 10 days.\u201d<\/p>\n
The dry weather is also extended to the northern parts of the CNMI. <\/p>\n
\u201cLonger range models indicate rainfall will be much lower than normal through the next month or two at least,\u201d NWS said. <\/p>\n
Because of this, NWS advised that water supplies need to be monitored very closely and water conservation is highly encouraged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater wells on Saipan could see an increase in salinity as the drought progresses,\u201d NWS warned.<\/p>\n
They also warned of drying and yellowing of food crops and vegetation becoming worse and an increase in grass fires.<\/p>\n
\u201cLivestock on Tinian may become stressed as food sources dry up,\u201d NWS added.<\/p>\n
NWS said drought conditions are worsening across much of Micronesia with below normal rainfalls also affecting other areas such as the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands where declarations of state of emergencies and disasters have been made. <\/p>\n
In Palau, the Palau Public Utilities Corp. has implemented a new water-rationing schedule. Its capital, Koror, continues to be in an extreme drought or drought level 3 of 4, as only a third of normal rainfall has fallen since the beginning of March.<\/p>\n
In the Republic of the Marshall Islands where all locations are in a severe or extreme drought, atolls have requested for and obtained assistance for their state. <\/p>\n
The current El Nino\u2014one of the strongest El Nino events in recorded history\u2014is expected to persist through the first half of 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cComputer models indicate this El Nino will weaken slowly before transitioning into neutral conditions by the summer and possibly La Nina conditions later in the year,\u201d NWS said.<\/p>\n
While \u201cthere could be a few wet days during the next few months through spring of 2016, NWS said, \u201cConditions will be much drier than normal. Rains will continue to be of much shorter duration, much less intense and much less frequent than normal.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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