Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) clarified that the intense heat Filipinos are currently experiencing is not the full effect of El Niño but is caused by easterlies.
Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, weather services chief of PAGASA, said in an interview with DZRH on Monday, July 10, that some areas are experiencing the dry season not because of El Niño but because of easterlies or the wind coming from the east.
"Hindi pa totally epekto ng El Niño yun dahil ‘yun pong pagbabago ng hangin natin ngayon ay dulot ng easterlies," she said.
"Panandalian lang po ito dahil ang sistema ay gumagalaw, so babalik pa po tayo sa hangin na manggagaling sa southwest," she added.
She clarified that the effects of El Niño are not yet extensive but are a small-scale weather system.
"Actually umiiral napo yung El Niño pero hinda pa malawakan pa ang epekto o impact na ito. May mga areas po tayo na may kulang na yung tubig ulan at may mga areas po na mataas ang temperatura pero hindi pa naman ito malawakan, unti unti palang po natin iton mararamdaman," Cayanan stated.
It assured that the temperature would still change as there would still be Habagat, which could be felt by next week.
"Mahaba ang easterlies, kaya may kakulangan sa tubig ulan, but meron pang inaasahan na pag-ulan dahil hindi pa tapos ang habagat season," the chief noted.
Cayanan said that rain events are less frequent now due to the effect of El Niño
"Hindi pa po ito totally effect ng El Niño although may factors but hindi pa po ito ang impact ng El Niño," she added.
