Met Office boss reassures

By Joshua Lafoai 04 December 2017, 12:00AM

There is no need to panic. 

That’s the assurance from the Assistant Chief Executive Officer in charge of the Meteorological Office at Mulinu’u, Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea, following relentless downpours across the country yesterday.

 “It should clear out on Tuesday (today) heading out to the weekend as per our predictions so far,” he said. 

“December should be fine for Samoa as the patterns show our tropical cyclone season will only be peaking around January to February.”

Mulipola said winds would push a band of clouds to the north of Samoa giving us better weather for the end of the week.

The  M.E.T. Office  said yesterday’s downpour was caused by a strong weather pattern around Samoa’s neighbouring islands including Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

“There are circulations surrounding Fiji and close to Tonga. This is affecting a wider area including us.

“The wind is mostly strong because of the north-easterly winds blowing in. So far, we have nothing to worry about at this time.”

Mulipola reassured the wind circulations should not concern the country as they are expected to break up before reaching any serious levels.

“The most active sides of our region so far, is in New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and especially Fiji, but we’re good for December,” he added.

Despite the good forecast for the month, Mulipola said the work is just starting for the M.E.T. office.

“We have a team of 45 employees and all of them are on the roster to work throughout the festive season. We have to keep track of weather changes as we go along in the month to keep the public aware of how it goes,” he said.

From the 45 staff, 20 of them will be in charge of weather operations for the end of the year. 

“This is a commitment we have to make as per out duty to Samoa. We have to be here and it’s what we’re called to do,” he said.

“We have been doing this for years, this is the sacrifice we make as a service to Samoa.”

Meanwhile, they have already set plans in place including year end operations with the Disaster Management Office as the busiest time of the year closes in.

By Joshua Lafoai 04 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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