Drought expected in Camarines Norte, Southern Leyte due to El Niño — PAGASA

Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte are forecast to experience drought during the July-December period due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday.

At a public briefing, PAGASA senior weather specialist Rusy Abastillas said this is based on the latest rainfall forecast of the bureau for the said period.

“Yung dalawa probinsiya pala na maaaring…for drought, sa dalawang probinsya na yun, which is Camarines Norte at saka yung Southern Leyte sa Visayas,” he said.

(The two provinces that may experience drought are Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte.)

According to PAGASA, drought means three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall conditions with over 60% reduction from the average rainfall. It could also be five consecutive months of below normal rainfall conditions with 21% to 60% reduction from the average rainfall.

Aside from drought, Abastillas said dry spells may be experienced in 36 provinces in the country, mostly in Luzon areas.

Dry spell is three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition 21% to 60% reduction from the average rainfall conditions or two consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition with more than 60% reduction from the average, according to PAGASA.

Meanwhile, dry conditions are also expected in 28 provinces, mostly in Mindanao.

Dry conditon means two consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition with 21% to 60% reduction from the average rainfall, PAGASA said.

Due to the Habagat season, Abastillas said rainfall is still expected from July to August.

Below normal rainfall conditions are expected to start  by October, according to Abastillas.

The impact of El Niño  is expected to affect agriculture, water supply, and health of the people, Abastilla said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News