Tuvalu experiences the effects of El Niño and La Niña caused by changes in ocean temperatures in the equatorial and central Pacific. El Niño effects increase the chances of tropical storms and cyclones, while La Niña effects increase the chances of drought. Typically the islands of Tuvalu receive between 200 to 400 mm (8 to 16 in) of rainfall per month. However, in 2011 a weak La Niña effect caused a drought by cooling the surface of the sea around Tuvalu. A state of emergency was declared on 28 September 2011; with rationing of fresh-water on the islands of Funafuti and Nukulaelae. Households on Funafuti and Nukulaelae were restricted to two buckets of fresh water per day (40 litres). COUNT 5
QSN1 What specific ocean temperature conditions effect Tuvalu? ANS1 El Niño and La Niña QSN2 Which effect causes increases in sea storms like cyclones? ANS2 El Niño QSN3 What temperature effect causes drought? ANS3 La Niña QSN4 What did a drought in 2011 cause on Funafuti? ANS4 rationing of fresh-water QSN5 What is the usual amount of rainfall per month on Tuvalu? ANS5 200 to 400 mm