DAVAO CITY — Some 46 of the 81 provinces in the country may experience long dryg spell as El Niño looms, says Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a press briefing on Tuesday.
The weather specialist during the same briefing said based on the analysis of the weather forcasters, 36 provinces from Luzon while another 28 from Mindanao will experience dry spell.
Rusy Abastillas of PAGASA during the briefing clarified “It is just potential, based on forecast.” The PAGASA may release an El Niño advisory by July.
Abastillas said Metro Manila may also experience the effects of El Niño, but PAGASA will still have to look into the forecast.
“It’s possible that Metro Manila will experience dry spell by the end of December. That means the region may have lesser rains for three months, then dry spell for the next three months,” she said.
Abastillas noted that lesser rainfall is not the only impact of El Niño but it it effects the agriculture sector especially those who are dependent on rainfall.
A huge impact will be on the water sector. El Niño will also have an impact on health due to the warm weather, she pointed out.
PAGASA is expecting below normal rainfall from October to the first quarter of 2024.