Strong El Niño affecting PH, says Pagasa

A strong El Niño is now prevailing in the Philippines, the state weather bureau has said.

El Niño has been showing indications since July but it should be in three consecutive months of below normal rainfall to be considered a strong one, Anthony Lucero of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s Climate Monitoring was quoted as saying by Radyo Inquirer on Tuesday.

Since August, 25 provinces have been experiencing dry conditions, five provinces are experiencing a dry spell, the report said.

READ: El Niño could be strongest in history | Take El Niño phenomenon seriously, Pagasa reminds public

Seven provinces are experiencing drought — Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.

Lucero said 58 percent of the country will experience the effects of El Niño until December and it could increase up to 85 percent in February 2016. Frances Mangosing/IDL