8 to 11 typhoons to enter PAR

MANILA, Philippines —  Eight to 11 typhoons are expected to enter the country this year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA weather specialist Rusy Abastillas told a press conference that one typhoon is expected in April, one to two in May and June and two to three from July to September.

“A slight delay of the rainy season is possible amid the developing La Niña,” Abastillas said.

She said most parts of Luzon would experience below normal rainfall,  but near to above normal rainfall can be expected in eastern and southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

PAGASA said El Niño has started to weaken and may return to ENSO-neutral conditions from April to May. ENSO condition means no El Niño or La Niña is prevailing.

While El Niño has weakened, Task Force El Niño said the areas to be hit by dry spell or drought are likely to increase in the next three months.

Task force spokesman Joey Villarama said 67 provinces in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Zamboanga peninsula, Western Visayas and Soccsksargen are experiencing dry spell, dry condition and drought.

Of the 67 provinces, 30 are experiencing drought.

“Based on PAGASA‘s projection, these (El Niño-hit) provinces may still go up to... around 76 to be affected in varying degrees in the next three months,” Villarama said at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing on PTV.

He said the next three months are ”critical” as the country enters the dry or summer season.

Heat index reaches ‘dangerous’ level

Meanwhile, La Union sizzled as a heat index of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded on Tuesday.

A heat index of 42 degrees Celsius is forecast in the province today.

Heat indexes of between 42 to 51 degrees Celsius are considered ”dangerous.”

Virac in Catanduanes experienced a heat index of 47 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 44 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

PAGASA climatology and agrometeorology division officer-in-charge Anna Lisa Solis said a higher heat index can be expected in April with the end of the southeast monsoon or amihan to be aggravated by the peak of El Niño.

The heat index in Metro Manila is forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius next month.

In Mexico, Pampanga, corn crops withered due to lack of irrigation amid the dry spell, according to Jerry Due, chairperson of the Pinagpalang Anao Irrigators and Farmers Association.

Agricultural damage hits P1.75 billion

Amid the dry spell, damage to agriculture has reached P1.75 billion.

Citing reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Task Force El Niño said six areas have declared a state of calamity.

These are San Jose, Magsaysay and Looc in Occidental Mindoro, Bulalacao and Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro and Zamboanga City.

Pioduran in Albay is also expected to declare a state of calamity due to El Niño.-  Ramon Efren Lazaro