Authorities in the Western Division are ready to escalate water carting to areas affected by the dry spell if the situation worsens and continues into next year.

Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau told FBC News this is a contingency that his office is prepared for.

With over sixty thousand residents already affected, Tagicakibau says the number keeps on increasing and they are doing all they can to assist affected areas.

‘’And also water is rationed now given to them and on top of that we still getting more request and the number keeps on rising and so far we have delivered about five million liters of water on the mainland and the maritime islands’’.

Tagicakibau says they have stepped up their operation by acquiring more delivery trucks and they will also carry out a review before making further decisions.

The Commissioner’s Western Office is expected to make a presentation to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today on the increasing impact of the El Nino.