PAGASA: 77% of country faces drought in 2024

State weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday warned that 77 percent of the country might experience drought in 2024.

In a “24 Oras” report by Ivan Mayrina, PAGASA said that a strong El Niño weather pattern can cause 11 provinces, the majority in Luzon, to experience drought by January, the equivalent of a 60 percent decrease in rainfall for three consecutive months.

By May, 65 provinces or 77 percent of the country will experience the effects of drought according to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidium.

“The maximum temperature in Northern Luzon around April or May can be up to 41 degrees centigrade and that would be the actual temperature, but if you add on the heat index, usually plus 5 to 15 degrees. Magkaiba kasi iyong heat index, importante iyon sa katawan ng tao,” said  Solidium.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier ordered his cabinet to create Task Force El Niño, which is tasked with preparing adequate food, water and energy supplies for the incoming drought season.

Part of the national action plan is to ensure there is an adequate supply of water and energy in order to avoid power losses.

The task force will also need to ensure the public's safety from fire, heat-related illnesses and most importantly the effects on food supply since agriculture is expected to be affected by the severe weather conditions.

Conditions might be similar to what happened in 1997-98 when the adverse effects of El Niño caused P800 billion in agricultural losses.

“We have to make sure na kapag food ang maapektuhan, dapat ample ang supply kasi baka makaapekto rin sa mga pricing... that is the critical thing,” said Solidium.

"We need to have food strocks and making sure that enough water and energy are available," the DOST head said. 

As of Tuesday, PAGASA reported the  water leve at Angat Dam is 212.5 meters which is within normal high water but despite this, PAGASA is calling on the public to practice conserving water and electricity as preparation for the incoming crisis brought by El Niño. —RF, GMA Integrated News