Manila – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a warning that some provinces are likely to experience drought in December due to El Niño. In a televised briefing, PAGASA weather specialist Joey Figuracion identified Batangas, Cavite, and Oriental Mindoro as areas expected to face drought conditions. Additionally, provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region, including Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao, are predicted to undergo dry spells.
According to Philippines News Agency, other areas that might experience dry spells include Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Aurora, and Palawan. Drought conditions are characterized by below-normal rainfall for five consecutive months or way below-normal rainfall for three months, with a reduction in rainfall of about 40 percent. Figuracion also mentioned that temperatures in the Philippines could rise to as high as 39 degrees Celsius in December, although the country might experience cold surges due to the ‘amihan’ season. He added that no weather disturbances are expected to enter or develop in the country in the next two weeks, but one to two tropical cyclones could still occur before the year’s end.