We heard it from the Task Force El Niño spokesman, who raised a bulletin of uneasiness, with the Department of Agriculture saying the weather phenomenon has caused at least P1.31 billion worth of agricultural damage as of mid-March.
Now the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is considering reducing the water pressure of concessionaires in Metro Manila due to the continuous decline of water levels in Angat Dam.
Task Force spokesman Joey Villarama said the country is still experiencing “strong and mature” El Niño, pointing out this year’s damage caused by the drought was less than previous figures.
“We are anticipating we have seen the worst, and the damage would not be any bigger,” Villarama said.
With the intense heat, at least five municipalities have declared a state of emergency, and about 60-70 provinces would be affected by the El Niño up to April.
At least 65 provinces, or 77 percent of the total provinces of the country, are forecast to experience drought by the end of May 2024 due to a “strong” El Niño, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said earlier.
Around six provinces or 7 percent of the total provinces nationwide may experience a dry spell.
The dry spell would be felt in north Luzon and northern extreme Luzon, while dry conditions would prevail in some parts of Mindanao.
“By the end of May, 77 percent of the provinces of the country [that] will have potential for drought. That would be around 65 provinces,” Solidum said.
Essentially, that means the rest of the country would be from dry condition to drought, mostly drought.
A dry spell is defined as three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition, while a dry condition is defined as two consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition, both 21 to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.
Drought is three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition (60 percent reduction from average rainfall).
The effects of El Niño are currently felt and have been experienced in some areas in the country, with the reduction of rainfall up to 80 percent which led to dry conditions or dry spells.
“Based on recent conditions, moderate to severe drought conditions are likely from February to May 2024,” Solidum said.
Solidum warned there is an indication the strong weather phenomenon is “comparable” to the 1997 to 1998 episode, regarded as the worst El Niño event in the world.