Twelve provinces will experience drought this month as a strong El Niño hits the country. AP FILE
As a strong El Niño surges, 12 provinces are seen to suffer drought conditions this month while most of the country will have significantly reduced rainfall.
In a bulletin over the weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that what is shaping up to be the strongest El Niño on record will likely last until June next year.
Pagasa warned of drought in Quezon, Camarines Norte and Sarangani which have seen a reduction of at least 60 percent in their usual rainfall the past three consecutive months.
It said nine provinces, namely, Laguna, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Biliran and North Cotabato are experiencing a dry spell, defined as at least three consecutive months of 21 to 60 percent reduction in the usual rainfall.
This month, most of the country will continue to have “below to way below” normal rainfall, meaning they will receive only a fraction of the rainfall they usually get.
On the other hand, Pagasa said 12 provinces will likely be spared from the dry conditions and will have near normal rainfall, namely, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Isabela, Quirino, Albay, Northern and Western Samar, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental.
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