Water shortages spread around the Pacific islands

The severe water shortage seen on Tuvalu has spread to other south Pacific islands, with Tokelau now suffering shortages and Samoa beginning rationing in some parts.

Tuvalu has the most severe situation, with outlying island Nukulaelae having to bring in a desalinisation plant courtesy of the New Zealand government to maintain drinking water. Tuvalu is one of the world’s smallest nations and has around 11,000 people distributed across numerous islands, with the largest population in the capital Funafuti. Funafuti has less than a week’s water supply remaining.

The New Zealand Foreign minister Murray McCully says that food shortages are likely to follow as farmers are not able to water their crops, but he stressed that the country was, "Making sure we deal with the drinking water issue most urgently".

Tokelau is a New Zealand dependency with a population of around 1,400. It also only has enough water to last the week and is receiving aid. Samoa is rationing water in some areas to cope.

The situation is being blamed on the La Nina weather pattern, which is the opposite of the better known El Nino pattern. There has been poor rainfall for several years now and there has been no significant rain in 7 months. The future of these islands is in doubt with rising sea levels, changing precipitation patterns and emigration of the younger members of the workforce.