Sixty-five provinces might experience drought brought by the El Niño phenomenon in May next year, according to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
"Based on recent conditions, moderate to severe drought conditions are likely from February to May 2024. By the end of May, there would be 77 percent of provinces in the country will have the potential for drought. That would be around 65 provinces," Solidium said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
He added that six provinces or 7 percent could be potentially hit by the dry spell.
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Solidum said there is an indication that El NIño in 2024 would be "strong", with forecast temperatures ranging from 38.3 °C to 41 °C.
"In Metro Manila, it may be 38.3 [°C], in lowland Luzon up to 39.9 [°C], and in Mindanao, by April, [is] around 39.5 [°C]," he added.
The DOST Secretary stressed the importance of full-force preparation for the effects of El Niño.
"We need to intensify our efforts to make sure we are ready for this, especially in the various fields like health, water, agriculture, sanitation, and of course, peace and order. We need to involve everyone in this effort," Solidum said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised an El Niño alert in the country last May 2.
In its latest El Niño advisory issued last Dec. 6, PAGASA said "a strong El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific" and that this "furthered intensified, nearing its peak in the coming months."
The state weather bureau added that the "majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until the second quarter of 2024."
