La Niña to start late June, says PAGASA

CEBU, Philippines - As the El Niño continues to weaken, La Niña is looming and is expected to start late June, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

"El Niño now in weakening stage and is returning to a neutral condition. Mopuli ang La Niña by midyear of 2016," said PAGASA Visayas director Engineer Oscar Tabada.

There is also 75 percent chance that La Niña will extend until 2017, he added.

La Niña, which is the opposite of El Niño, is characterized by persistent cooling of temperature and heavy rainfall.

The onset of rainfall this year is expected on the third or fourth week of June, said Tabada.

In yesterday's Kapistorya sa Capitol, Tabada presented updates on the El Niño phenomenon and the forecast and preparations for La Niña.

He said the rainfall in Cebu for the past three days is still below the normal level.

PAGASA has recorded only 25 mm of rain in Cebu in the past few days, a far contrast to the average 100 mm rainfall for the month of May.

Tabada urged local government units to intensify their information, education and communication campaigns for La Niña to the public especially at the grassroots level or in schools and barangays.

He also encouraged the public to plan ahead, build drums or any other facility to catch and store rainwater, and plant more trees to prevent landslides and soil erosions. Drainage systems should also be free from obstructions to prevent clogging.

PAGASA also forecast that at least 20 typhoons will hit the country during the second half of the year.

In 2013, typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas. It was also in the same year that the Philippines recorded its highest temperature at 40.1 degrees Celsius.

"Expect more water, more rain, flashfloods and landslides when La Niña comes. Around September to October, two to four typhoons will come in," the PAGASA official said. — (FREEMAN)