There are still 41 provinces in the country that are affected by the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.
In a statement, Task Force El Niño said PAGASA reported a decrease in the number of provinces affected by the phenomenon.
"From a total of 50 affected areas based on January 21, 2024 assessment to now 41 affected provinces,” the task force said.
Among the provinces that are in dry conditions are Batangas, Laguna, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Samar Lanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
PAGASA defines dry conditions as two consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions observed in the area.
Meanwhile, the provinces of Abra, Aurora, Bataan, Isabela, Metropolitan Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Quirino, Rizal, Zambales, and Negros Occidental are currently experiencing dry spells.
A dry spell means the occurrence of three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions or two consecutive months of way below-normal rainfall conditions observed in an area.
It said that drought is still being experienced in Apayao, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, and Pangasinan.
According to the state weather bureau, drought is defined as having three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall conditions with over 60% reduction from the average rainfall.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier reconstituted Task Force El Niño to increase community resilience and secure a sufficient supply of food, water, and public health and safety.
