Drought affects 41 provinces as El Niño heats up
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Drought affects 41 provinces as El Niño heats up
Pia Gutierez,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 23, 2024 05:20 PM PHT

A rice field dries up due to heat and lack of water in Batangay Casalat, San Ildefonso, Bulacan on January 15, 2024. The lack of rain and water flowing through for irrigation in some parts of the municipality has left some farmers struggling and requesting for aid. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Drought is now affecting 41 provinces as the El Niño phenomenon continues to persist in the country, according to weather bureau PAGASA.
MANILA - Drought is now affecting 41 provinces as the El Niño phenomenon continues to persist in the country, according to weather bureau PAGASA.
Ana Solis, OIC of the Climatology and Agro-meteorology Division of PAGASA, said drought means having 5 consecutive months of below-normal rainfall.
Ana Solis, OIC of the Climatology and Agro-meteorology Division of PAGASA, said drought means having 5 consecutive months of below-normal rainfall.
This means a 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall conditions.
This means a 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall conditions.
PAGASA however said the number of affected provinces is lower than the initial estimate of 50, due to rains experienced in parts of Mindanao last December and January.
PAGASA however said the number of affected provinces is lower than the initial estimate of 50, due to rains experienced in parts of Mindanao last December and January.
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“So ibig sabihin po medyo naibsan iyong mga ibang areas po na nagkaroon ng tubig-ulan lalung-lalo na po dito sa may parte ng Western Mindanao area,” Solis said during a televised briefing.
“So ibig sabihin po medyo naibsan iyong mga ibang areas po na nagkaroon ng tubig-ulan lalung-lalo na po dito sa may parte ng Western Mindanao area,” Solis said during a televised briefing.
She noted that there were even floods experienced in several areas due to the shear line. But while some areas were classified as under drought, others were classified as under a dry spell.
She noted that there were even floods experienced in several areas due to the shear line. But while some areas were classified as under drought, others were classified as under a dry spell.
A dry spell means 2 to 3 consecutive months of below-average rainfall.
A dry spell means 2 to 3 consecutive months of below-average rainfall.
“So ang nangyari lang po, nabawasan iyong mga areas under drought condition pero napupunta naman po siya doon sa mga areas under dry spell condition,” Solis said.
“So ang nangyari lang po, nabawasan iyong mga areas under drought condition pero napupunta naman po siya doon sa mga areas under dry spell condition,” Solis said.
PAGASA expects more than 80 provinces to be affected by El Niño. The Philippines has 82 provinces at present.
PAGASA expects more than 80 provinces to be affected by El Niño. The Philippines has 82 provinces at present.
“And, also, iyong inaasahan po natin din na medyo mainit na temperatura sa mga susunod na panahon lalung-lalo na po kapag magti-terminate na tayo ng hanging amihan.”
“And, also, iyong inaasahan po natin din na medyo mainit na temperatura sa mga susunod na panahon lalung-lalo na po kapag magti-terminate na tayo ng hanging amihan.”
PAGASA expects the El Nino phenomenon to persist until May 2024.
PAGASA expects the El Nino phenomenon to persist until May 2024.
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