The Vanuatu Daily Post reported water shortages in Tafea province were being acutely felt on the islands of Tanna and Aniwa, where crops had withered and cattle had died.
In the north of Tanna, people reportedly had to travel to the coast to find water as inland sources have dried up.
Climate services manager Allan Rai, with the Vanuatu Meteorology Department, said last year's El Niño weather system had combined with the dry season to delay the arrival of expected rain.