The Philippines is bracing itself for the serious effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which will be felt starting in February. Metro Manila and 26 other provinces are expected to experience drought conditions, with rainfall levels significantly below normal for three consecutive months.
Nathaniel Servando, the administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), has cited an assessment on dry spell, dry condition, and drought. According to Servando, the provinces of Luzon, including Bulacan and Quezon, and the provinces of Bohol, Siquijor, and Southern Leyte in Visayas, will likely experience dry weather by the end of February.
In Mindanao, a similar condition is expected in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
On the other hand, the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Spratly Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes in Luzon may experience a dry spell, according to Servando. The dry spell will also be felt in 12 provinces in the Visayas, namely Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, and Samar (Western Samar). Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi in Mindanao will also experience a similar dry spell by the end of February.
Pagasa has warned that the worst meteorological condition, drought, may occur in late next month in 25 areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Other areas at risk of drought include Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Aurora, Cavite, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Negros Occidental in Visayas, and Basilan in Mindanao.
“Based on recent conditions, moderate to severe drought conditions would likely persist until June this year,” Servando told The Manila Times.
The Philippine state-run weather agency defines a dry spell as three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions or a 21 to 60 percent drop in average rainfall. A dry condition is characterized by two consecutive months of below-normal rainfall or a 21 to 60 percent reduction in average rainfall. Drought, on the other hand, refers to five consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions or three consecutive months of significantly below-normal rainfall conditions (more than a 60 percent reduction from average).
Despite these challenging conditions, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has assured Metro Manila residents that there will be enough supply of potable water from Angat Dam. However, the public is reminded to continue conserving water and using it wisely, as well as conserving electricity.
Meanwhile, Pagasa forecaster Benison Estareja has stated that the shear line, where hot and cold air converge, is affecting the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas. The northeast monsoon, locally known as “amihan,” is bringing partly cloudy to overcast skies with isolated light rains over the rest of Luzon.
Over the next 24 hours, the rest of the country is expected to experience scattered rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, according to the state weather bureau.
Source: The Manila Times
