El Niño forecast to peak by April 2024; Marcos responds with task force

MANILA, Philippines — The possible dry spells and drought brought by El Niño could peak in April next year or a month earlier than initial estimates, according to the latest forecast by the Department of Science and Technology.

In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has revived a government task force to start early preparations and resolve possible interventions, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Tuesday at a Palace briefing. 

While all areas in the country are expected to feel the effects of the weather phenomenon, as many as 63 provinces may experience severe drought conditions brought by El Niño at its peak, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum said in a TeleRadyo interview.

“All provinces will be affected depending on the month, but the peak will be in April where 63 provinces will experience below rainfall levels of 21% lower," DOST Secretary Renato Solidum told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

The DOST secretary added that the effects of the weather phenomenon will gradually decrease from April to June, which means rainfall could be back to normal levels in May or June.

Teodoro on Tuesday announced that the president has revived a 2001 executive order creating the Task Force El Niño, which will be chaired by the defense chief and co-chaired by the DOST secretary.

The defense secretary explained that the executive order will establish an inter-agency cooperation on the national level to tackle issues related to the potential problems caused by El Niño.

“But we know the first responders are the local government units. So the DOST will inform them on the conditions whether or not they can declare a state of calamity and use their calamity funds,” Teodoro added. 

The executive order is expected to be released this week. — Cristina Chi