A STRONG El Niño episode will persist, affecting 25 provinces in a drought condition and nine others in a dry spell condition through the month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Those suffering drought are Palawan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The provinces of Rizal, Catanduanes, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur are experiencing a dry spell.
Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, Bohol, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur have been in a dry condition.
Drought is characterized by three months of way below normal rainfall conditions or a 60 percent reduction from the average, while dry spell is associated with consecutive months of below normal rainfall conditions or 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from the average.
A dry condition is a two-consecutive month of below normal rainfall conditions or a 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from the average.
The El Niño is forecast to gradually weaken between March and May, and may neutralize by July, the weather bureau said.