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MANILA, Philippines – The country should brace for stronger storms this year due to the El Niño phenomenon expected in June, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo said on Friday.
In an interview over Inquirer Radio 990AM, Montejo said that though the El Niño would not affect the number of storms, it would make these storms stronger than normal.
In a statement on Thursday, Pagasa said “El Niño causes the behavior of tropical cyclones to become erratic, affecting its tracks and intensity.”
“The tropical cyclone tracks are expected to shift northward and its intensity could become stronger,” it said.
Montejo said they have coordinated with local governments to warn them if they might suffer from the dry spell come June.
The Philippines is battered with an average of 20 cyclones per year.
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