SOLOMON Islanders are urged to be on alert as the country enters the cyclone season.
The reminder comes from the local Weather office.
Tropical cyclone season here runs from November to April, with its formation peak during the months of January, February and March, according to the office.
“While cyclones can also occur on other months outside of the cyclone season it is very rare to happen but only on occasions,” the office said in a statement.
It noted from current observations that the current El Nino like condition is likely to persist into early 2015 with high expectation of a late season of El Nino remains possible next year.
A near average tropical cyclone activities’ will be very likely for Solomon Islands this cyclone season, thus it is important that the public are aware of these observations.
“This means, one or two tropical cyclone activity will be very likely to impact Solomon Islands this season with high probability that it may become severe because of warmer seas surface temperature,” it was noted.
It added and warns, every cyclone season brings the risk of wind damage, storm surge, flooding, destruction of food gardens and being cut off from supplies.
“Even during an average or below average season it is possible to see a number of impacts on our communities so it is important that families and communities do prepare themselves.
According to the statement, Solomon Islands is in a cyclo-genesis area (latitude of 5 degrees south to 11 degrees south), a hot spot for tropical cyclone formation.
An example is the 2014 April flooding, which was a result of low pressure system that eventually developed into tropical cyclone Ita.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI