DOST: El Niño to affect more provinces as extended dry season likely

FILE PHOTO: El Niño is expected to affect more provinces by May as there may be a longer dry season this 2024 amid the strong weather phenomenon and the anticipated occurrence of its antithesis, La Niña, according to DOST chief Renato Solidum Jr. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — El Niño is expected to affect more provinces by May as there may be a longer dry season this year amid the strong weather phenomenon and the anticipated occurrence of its antithesis, La Niña.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that while La Niña is expected to bring in more tropical cyclones at the end of the year, the preconditions leading to it indicate lower-than-average rainfall.

“The forecast for the ongoing effects of El Niño would continue for April: We have 48 provinces to be affected by drought, 24 dry spells, but by May, it will be 54 provinces to be affected by drought and 10 dry spells,” Solidum revealed during Tuesday’s public briefing at Malacañang.

READ: El Niño, La Niña together? What to know

“There will still be some provinces to be affected by the combined effect of El Niño and the preparation for La Niña which would bring in less normal rainfall. Hence, we need to continue doing the operations for El Niño preparedness but also [keep] in mind that we need to prepare for La Niña in the second half of the year,” he added.

READ: Gov’t to use various ways to address El Niño impacts in PH – Marcos

Solidum said rainy season will also be delayed due to the La Niña preparation stage.

“The possibility of a slight delay of the onset of rainy season is likely,” he said.

The DOST chief likewise disclosed there is a 62 percent chance of La Niña beginning to develop by June although some provinces may still experience drought until August.

The dry season should end completely by September, said Solidum.