La Niña to start next month, says Pagasa

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday said heavy rains are expected next month with the onset of the La Niña phenomenon.

Susan Espinueva, Pagasa’s Hydrometeorological Division’s chief, said there is now more than 80 percent chance of La Niña developing over the equatorial Pacific based on the latest global weather models.                                                 

“We will likely experience above normal rainfall starting August,” Espinueva said. “It is sure that La Niña will develop (this year).”                                                                                   

La Niña refers to the abnormal cooling of sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and is characterized by excessive rainfall.                                                                        

The La Niña phenomenon arrives as the country is still feeling the effects of the recent El Niño phenomenon, which dried up farmlands and depleted the water level in major reservoirs.                                                                                    

Dr. Esteban Godilano, satellite mapping expert of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP), has said La Niña will severely affect at least 69 provinces until March next year.                                                               

Espinueva urged local government units to set up rainwater collection systems in their areas to take advantage of above normal rainfall.