El Niño may last until next year – Pagasa

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The El Niño phenomenon is likely to intensify until the last quarter of this year and may last until early 2016, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said drought is defined as three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition or 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.

During his tour in Northern Mindanao last week, Science Secretary Mario Montejo said at least 79 provinces would be affected by the El Niño this year.

The dry spell condition will be at its worst this year, Montejo warned the public.

Starting September, he said several provinces would experience drought.

According to Montejo, the dry spell and drought conditions will affect 29 provinces in October and 50 more provinces by the end of the year.

He assured the public that food security and health measures are in place to fight the El Niño phenomenon.

The weather bureau recorded weather disturbances in July that included high-pressure area, inter-tropical convergence zone, southwest monsoon, low-pressure areas and three tropical cyclones over the Philippine area of responsibility.

According to PAGASA, the weather systems in July brought normal rainfall in Western and Central Mindanao but there was still shortage of rainfall in the provinces of Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.

It said average ranges of temperature were recorded at 23°C to 34°C over lowlands of Mindanao and 19°C to 29° C over the mountainous areas of Mindanao.