The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has issued a La Niña watch as the country’s dry spell drew to a close.
The latest Pagasa advisory stated that the El Niño was weakening and “in its decaying stage,” and that the La Niña will develop within the second half of 2016.
“With this current development, La Niña Watch is now in effect,” the Pagasa advisory stated.
Maribel Enriquez, chief metereological officer of the Pagasa-Zamboanga station, said the incoming La Niña spell bodes for stronger rains and more floods in this city, where heavy rain is expected to fall in July.
Enriquez said that the western part of the country, including Zamboanga City, will be affected by the La Niña because of the southwest monsoon that is set to be experienced from June to October this year.
“During the southwest monsoon season, the southwest monsoon is enhanced by the typhoons coming in, so flooding is experienced in Zamboanga City,” she said.
Enriquez said heavy rainfall and floods are expected to occur during the peak of the rainy season from August to October. At least seven to 12 typhoons are also expected to develop and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility from May to October this year.
Enriquez also reported that this city was no longer under a dry spell or drought status as of June.
Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the City Engineer’s Office to undertake declogging of drainage systems and dredging of rivers to prevent floods and other disasters in the light of the forecast La Niña.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has identified eight of this city’s 98 barangays as prone to landslides and 55 barangays as flood-prone areas.