FILE PHOTO: Local tourists beating the summer heat at Morong Star Beach Resort in Bataan. (WEBSTER MOLDEZ / Photoville International)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — “Nandyan pa rin po yung El Niño at nandun pa rin po yung kanyang threat or impact dito sa ating bansa,” PAGASA Administrator Dr. Vic Malano said.
(El Niño still exists as well as its threat or impact on our country.)
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) considers 2015 as one of the hottest years.
It ranks fourth in the agency’s record where the hottest was 2013, followed by 1998 and 2012.
According to PAGASA, the country may suffer intense hot weather this year particularly in the summer as it coincides with the effects of El Niño.
PAGASA projects 85% of the country or 68 provinces will experience drought.
In April, the estimated maximum temperature might reach 41.5 degrees Celcius in the low lands of Luzon like Tuguegarao.
The effects of El Niño may possibly extend beyond the middle of the year. This is why despite the full water level of Angat Dam, the public is still advised to conserve water.
The El Niño in the country last year cause the delayed onset of the wet season, weak monsoon activities and below normal rainfall.
It was also observed that fewer tropical cyclones entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility or PAR, reaching only 15 compared with the average of 19-20 during normal climates.
Two to six tropical cyclones are expected to enter PAR in the first half of the year.
PAGASA clarifies that meteorological drought is different from agricultural drought.
There are areas that do not experience frequent rainfall but still conducive to farming because the soil retains its moisture.
The cloud seeding operation will now focus more on Visayas and Mindanao areas because Luzon has received more rainfall last month brought by Typhoon Nona.
The seeding is part of Task Force El Niño’s program that has a fund of P79 million. (REY PELAYO / UNTV News)
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