Pacific islands left thirsty by La Niña

The Pacific island nations of Tuvalu and Tokelau have declared a state of emergency due to severe water shortages. In response, New Zealand has sent water and two desalination units, and Samoa has also sent water.

Both nations rely on rain for drinking water, but there has been little rainfall for the past four months, says Richard Gorkrun of the Tuvalu Meteorological Service in Funafuti, Tuvalu. "Some villages in Tokelau only have enough water until the end of this week," says Jo Suveinakama of the Tokelau government.

A weak La Niña is causing the drought by cooling the surface of the sea around Tuvalu, says Daniel Corbett of forecasters MetService in Wellington, New Zealand. The cool waters have forced a large band of cloud off course.

"Normally the band would be flirting with Tuvalu and producing afternoon showers over the islands," says Corbett. "But now it's too far south, so they have been bone dry."

The clouds are not expected to return until next year.