The governor of Papua New Guinea's Gulf province says unusually high tides have destroyed more than 200 homes.
Governor Chris Haiveta told parliament that at least one village on the Central Province border was destroyed by surging tides.
The Post Courier newspaper quotes him as saying that he visited five villages that had been badly hit.
Mr Haiveta said the king tides had caused considerable havoc and damage, similar to what was experienced during the 1997 El Nino season.
He says during droughts, salt water surged up rivers, increasing salinity and killing sago palms and food gardens.
