MANILA – Some 66 areas in the country may experience dry condition, dry spell and drought until the end of the year due to El Niño.
In its advisory issued on Thursday, the Department of Agriculture – Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Section (DA-DRRMC) said a total of 28 areas in the country may experience dry condition — three in Luzon, five in the Visayas and 20 in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, dry spell is looming in 36 areas — 32 in Luzon and four in the Visayas.
It added that the provinces of Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte may experience drought.
“El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country,” it said.
“However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected,” it added.
The areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that may experience dry spell are Abra, Batanes and Cagayan in Luzon; Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor in the Visayas and Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao de Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Soutj Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.
Places in Luzon and Visayas that may be potentially affected by dry spell include Metro Manila, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Spratly Islands, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes in Luzon and Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo and Leyte in the Visayas.
It added that a potential dry spell may be seen in Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur by the end of October.
Dry spell is defined as three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition (21-60 percent reduction from average rainfall while dry condition is defined as two consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition (21-60 percent reduction from average rainfall)
Drought is defined as three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition (60 percent reduction from average rainfall).
Last July 4, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) raised its ENSO Alert and Warning System from El Niño Alert to El Niño Advisory.
It said that El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific and will persist until the first quarter of 2024, showing signs of strengthening in the coming months. (PNA)