Cloudy skies, isolated rain over PHL today

CEBU, Philippines — Cloudy skies and isolated rain may occur over most of the country on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Saturday afternoon.

The state weather bureau, in its 5 p.m. bulletin, also said the ridge of a high-pressure area is now affecting Northern Luzon.

It said Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon may have partly cloudy skies.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, it added.

Also, PAGASA said light to moderate winds from the northeast to east will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming from the northeast over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas.

IN VISAYAS

Meanwhile, with Visayas region to also continue experience rainshowers despite the mild El Niño, PAGASA advises households to store rainwater as scarcity of water is expected during the dry season.

PAGASA – Visayas officer-in-charge regional director Oscar Tabada said the drought is now being felt particularly in Central Visayas.

“We have already experienced it. Makita na sa southern part of Cebu (nga) nangliki na og sugod ang ilang mga humayan. Sa Bohol pud daghan na ang nangliki,” he said.

Tabada said the driest period would be felt on April, while rainshowers will be already felt again either May or June.

 “By May or June ma-normalize na ‘na siya. Balik na ta’g normal. Pero, we know for a fact nga dili na man g’yud normal atong panahon karon, so mao na atong gipaabot nato, mga pag-uwan o pagbaha,” he forewarned.

Tabada urged the public to follow the advisories being disseminated by PAGASA.

“Aduna pa ta’y uwan nga gipaabot. Dunay weak El Niño, magkanihit na jud ni atong uwan. Mag-andam ta og mga drums,” he said.

Apart from stressing the importance of storing rainwater, Tabada also advised the public to drink enough water to avoid getting dehydrated and to also avoid excessive sun exposure.

He further asked the public to be extra cautious in order to prevent fire from happening, considering fire is common during dry season.

“We have experienced this kind of phenomenon before. Og unsa ‘to ang mga panghitabo sauna, usba inyong mga pang-hunahuna,” he said. —NSA (FREEMAN)