Drought — Marshall Islands, Guam

2022-02-01 to 2022-02-28 · Marshall Islands, Guam

Event narrative

Extreme Drought (D3) continues for the Northern Marshall Islands near and north of 9N: This includes, but is not limited to, Wotje, Ailuk, Mejit, Wotho, Utirik, Maloelap, Ebadon, Namu, Jabot, and Aur.

Kwajalein saw increased rainfall in February with 6.18 inches falling. Kwajalein briefly went from Moderate Drought (D1) to Severe Drought (D2) back to Moderate Drought (D1).

Wotje remains in Extreme Drought (D3) as the island only saw 0.05 inches of rainfall from February 1st to the 25th. Many catchments are very low or empty. Some wells are salty but well water levels are still decent at most surveyed sites. Groundwater is being utilized for cooking, drinking, washing and bathing. Plants are mostly brown with some plants absent of leaves. Some fruits are dropping prematurely. Some islands have reverse osmosis units, but many are inoperable. Many islands have 2-4 weeks of water left if no rain falls.

Many catchments are very low or empty. Some wells are salty but well water levels are still decent at most surveyed sites. Groundwater is being utilized for cooking, drinking, washing and bathing. Plants are mostly brown with some plants absent of leaves. Some fruits are dropping prematurely. Some islands have reverse osmosis units, but many

are inoperable. Many islands have 2-4 weeks of water left if no rain falls.

The Marshall Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) supplied new batteries for Wotje's reverse osmosis unit. The NDMO's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster continues to survey the northern islands.

Wider weather episode

Drought continues in Micronesia.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1012623. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.