Mild dry spell sets in
November 10, 2009 9:35 am
By Mediatrix P. Cristobal
MANILA, Nov 10 –Since September this year, three provinces have been experiencing a 'mild dry spell,' the initial impacts of the current El Niño condition, amidst the intensely drenched situation in the provinces of northern and southern Luzon.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that rainfall deficiencies have been plaguing the provinces of Bohol, Capiz, and Misamis Oriental in the past three months.
The three provinces receive an average of 101-250 millimeters of rain during the second half of the year, but the past three months yielded some -40 percent deviation from the figures, Pagasa said.
Pagasa deputy director Nathaniel Cruz earlier warned of water shortage which may be brought by El Nino.
Agriculture experts meanwhile said low amount of received rainfall spells doom, particularly to rice farmers who depend on irrigation.
In its latest El Nino advisory, the Pagasa said that latest global observation (data) shows sea surface temperatures (SST’s) warmed slightly in recent weeks, indicating a slight strengthening of the current event.
"Majority of statistical and coupled model forecasts from international climate centers predict that El Niño condition will prevail and continue at least up to early 2010," it said.
The provinces of southern Leyte , Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, likewise, experienced way-below normal rainfall condition last month.
Meanwhile different scenario was seen in western parts of North and Central Luzon – including Ilocos region through Pangasinan – which received more than 700 millimeters of rain during the passage of Ondoy (storm Ketsana) and Pepeng.
The two storms, which were the most fatal of the storms that hit the country last month, induced landslides and flashfloods that claimed the lives of 465 people and lost of P20.5 billion worth of agricultural products.
The Pagasa said despite these, conditions in the equatorial Pacific remain indicative of a weak-to-moderate El Niño.
It warned that dry conditions will be slowly felt starting November, as below normal rainfall conditions can be expected in most parts of Luzon and Visayas, including some areas of southern Mindanao.
Metro Manila, Mindoro and most parts of Mindanao will likely experience near normal rainfall conditions, it added.
Two to three tropical cyclones may enter the Philippine areas of responsibility, it said.
"All concerned government agencies are advised to continue to take appropriate measures to mitigate the potential adverse impacts of El Niño to various sectors of the society," the Pagasa said. (PNA)
RMA/MPC
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