The state weather bureau on Saturday said that the Philippines will have to brace for nine to 10 storms this year, but noted that weather situation remained “normal” in Bohol and the rest of the country.

No weather phenomenon such as La Niña and El Niño is projected to develop in the forthcoming weeks, said Sheila Reyes a forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Manila.

This is contrary to a previous memorandum of the Department of the Interior and Local Government which urged local government units to prepare for La Niña which was closely monitored by PAGASA.

Reyes told the Chronicle that Bohol is expected to experience rains due to thunderstorms but no low pressure area has been spotted near the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

However, effects of climate change would cause a level of unpredictability to the weather situation throughout the country, Reyes said.

Other than this, no major weather disturbances are seen to affect Bohol and the rest of the country this week, she added, but urged the public to still remain prepared for calamities.

Last year, Bohol was placed under a state of calamity due to a months-long drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

Over P300 million worth of crops were destroyed throughout the province. (A. Doydora)