In brief
Following a nationwide advisory, the Fijian government urges residents to ration and store water amid an impending El Nino‑driven dry spell. Farmers receive guidance to monitor crops and livestock, and agencies promise support via water carting, though reaching remote islands remains difficult. Meanwhile, the Lau Group’s Lakeba island has seen new Water Authority facilities and hybrid power projects that could improve water and energy resilience.
The Fijian government issued a warning on 9 November 2026 that an El Nino‑induced dry spell could place significant pressure on the country’s already stressed water sources. Authorities urged households to conserve water and build up household reserves, especially those relying on rainwater tanks, boreholes, wells and other independent supplies. The advisory highlights Fiji’s vulnerability to climate change and stresses the need for early preparation.
In its appeal, the government suggested that households implement water rationing, store supplies safely, and prioritize essential uses such as drinking and cooking. Farmers were advised to closely monitor crops and livestock and to keep a close eye on available water. The ministry recommended early consultation with agricultural authorities to minimize the impact of the dry conditions on livelihoods that underpin Fiji’s food security.
Government agencies are continuing to support affected communities through measures such as water carting. Officials acknowledged that reaching some remote and maritime communities may present logistical challenges and take time, but insisted that responsible water use will be paramount as Fiji navigates the escalating effects of El Nino.
In other parts of the country, progress on water and energy infrastructure is underway. Remote communities in the Lau Group are set to benefit from improved services following the commissioning of new projects on Lakeba. Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the development of outer islands must continue, even amid national debates on constitutional matters.
Lau’s new Water Authority depot, opened on Lakeba, includes a workshop and maintenance facilities that are expected to strengthen support and improve water services for the island. Electricity has also been extended to Waitabu and other villages, providing residents with increased access. While speaking on a visit between Lakeba and Matuku, Tuisawau noted the government’s commitment to ensuring reliable water and power for communities farther from the capital.
HirePM Experts added,
“And also we commissioned the Lakeba hybrid power Lakaro project, where it is a combination of the old diesel generator, but now dominated by solar energy, a solar project. So that gives a lot of savings as far as diesel use is concerned, and we are moving to renewable energy.”
These infrastructure upgrades, coupled with the national water‑conservation campaign, signal a coordinated effort to bolster Fiji’s resilience. With an expected prolonged dry spell looming, the government’s appeal and the Lau Group’s new facilities provide a dual approach: immediate measures to reduce water use, and longer‑term investments that improve the reliability of both water and energy supplies for communities across the archipelago.