He said people living along coasts and in the lagoons, even in big islands will be experiencing unusual higher sea levels.
In recent days, SIBC News has seen several photos that were posted in the social media of houses in the Langalanga Lagoon near Auki in Malaita Province that were inundated with unusual tides.
Mr Hiriasia said other places in the country are also experiencing coastal flooding.
“The effect of La Nina, coupled with high tides and sea level rise due to climate change, we will be experiencing unusually high tides during this wet season,” he explains.
Mr Hiriasia said the country is in for a lot of rain as well.
“Signs have already indicated that we are in a La Nina phase. During La Nina, high rainfall is expected. High rainfall means flooding can occur in flood prone areas,” he said.
The meteorology expert says La Nina will also be affecting the formation of cyclones.
“The strong trade winds push the warm waters from the eastern Pacific to the Western Pacific and create an enabling environment for cyclone formation.”
La Nina weakens high atmospheric winds, which allows warm air pockets to grow vertically and develop into tropical cyclones.
SIMS cyclone outlook has forecasted that the country expects 2 or 3 tropical cyclones during the cyclone season.
“This is because of the influence of La Nina in open waters, it pushes warm water to Solomon Islands which then results in more rainfall and as well formation of cyclones.
Mr Hiriasia said this is just a prediction for this cyclone season, however, people should take precautionary measures.
SIMS will be issuing advice once they detect any cyclone formation. But currently, there is no cyclone being detected in the country.
Hiriasia urged all people to take precautionary measures during this wet season.
by Jared Koli
