Media release: 350.org | Two Category 3 Tropical Cyclones are currently moving through the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, while experts watch a third system potentially developing in the North Pacific.
Warnings are in place for Fiji as Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu travels through the island group over the next 24 hours. A separate warning was issued for Solomon Islands and Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea, as Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila intensified to a Category 3.
Communities in the Pacific Island nations are already experiencing dangerous flooding, storm surge and loss of electricity and water.
Despite the region’s cyclone season typically running from November to April, experts say that the climate crisis has caused major weather shifts, possibly extending dangerous weather well into the month of May. These severe tropical cyclones typically bring limited energy access, loss of lives, agriculture and infrastructure, all placing an extensive burden on Pacific peoples and governments.
Vinzealhar Nen, 350.org Papua New Guinea Coordinator says, “There are already heavy rains and floods in New Britain areas and expected for coastal communities in Milne Bay. The development of Cyclone Maila has already interrupted power supply in these local communities, due to strong winds and damaged the powerlines.
While the small communities are being asked to move to higher ground, it will be difficult to move at a time like this. With the cyclone, so much is at stake. Homes will be destroyed, lives could be taken, injuries might not be treated due to lack of basic health services nearby and livelihoods will be affected. Many of the people from these communities rely on subsistence farming and fishing to earn their income.
These damages and trying to recover from them will cause many problems for the people from these communities once the cyclone passes through.”
The Pacific region has consistently faced the devastating impacts of intensifying cyclones, higher ocean temperatures and rising sea levels. These impacts have since been combined with the economic burden of rising fuel costs, placing remote islands at a disadvantage in both recovery and resilience.
Fenton Lutunatabua, 350.org Pacific & Caribbean Team Lead says, “We’re currently seeing two severe tropical cyclones impacting the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, with our brothers and sisters in the North Pacific also monitoring a weather system that could develop into a third cyclone.
“At some point we need to ask ourselves, who should fit the cost of these climate disasters? The communities that bear the physical and emotional brunt, or the coal, oil and gas CEOs that fuel them?
“Our teachers, farmers, health workers and parents are bracing for a cyclone period that could extend well into May. That’s beyond our typical cyclone season. The climate crisis is shifting the goalposts of what our people have to endure, and those most responsible for this crisis should also be responsible for some form of relief.”
