8 provinces experiencing drought due to El Niño

Eight provinces in Luzon are currently experiencing drought amid the El Niño phenomenon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

- ROMINA CABRERA

PAGASA said that drought was observed in the provinces of Apayao, Bataan, Cagayan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Palawan and Zambales.

Drought conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall or 21 to 60 percent reduction from the average for five consecutive months, or way below normal rainfall for three consecutive months.

The strong and mature El Niño is expected to persist until May, with transition to neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation conditions by April to June.

El Niño, which brings warm and dry air, increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall and may bring dry spells and droughts in some areas.

Dry spell conditions have been observed so far in 19 provinces nationwide.

Provinces that experienced dry spell, or below normal rainfall conditions for three consecutive months, include Negros Occidental in the Visayas and Basilan in Mindanao. Abra, Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao,