El Niño to affect up to 56 provinces by April 2024 — PAGASA

The El Niño phenomenon may last longer than expected and may affect a total of 56 provinces by April, according to weather bureau PAGASA.

In Ivan Mayrina's report  on "24 Oras" Friday, PAGASA said by the end of January 14 provinces are forecast to experience a dry spell.

Most of the affected areas are agricultural provinces in Northern and Central Luzon such as Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, and Nueva Ecija. 

"'Yung mga areas na already experiencing dry spell during the past few months siya yung pwedeng magtuloy-tuloy," said PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Chief Ana Solmoro Solis. 

(Dry spells in the affected areas may continue.)

"As high as 40 degrees (Centigrade) sa may parte ng Northern Luzon area," Solis added. 

(The temperature may rise to up to 40 degrees in the Northern Luzon area.)

At least 27 provinces will be affected by El Niño in February. It may increase to 44 by March and may reach 56 in April.

This may be the hottest season in the country, particularly in Northern Luzon. This can be felt towards the end of 2023.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the effects of the El Niño phenomenon may last longer than initial forecast.

"Enough ang ating tubig para sa Angat despite may El Niño. Ang very critical dito is pag nag-extend ang dry spell or drought after May or beyond May," Solis said. 

(Angat dam has enough water supply despite the El Niño. What's critical here is the possible extension of the dry spell beyond May.)

PAGASA, in May 2023, issued an El Niño Alert after forecasts showed that the phenomenon may emerge in the next three months at 80% probability and may last until the first quarter of 2024.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in May called for the creation of a team that would focus on mitigating the effects of the  El Niño phenomenon.

The weather bureau advised the public to care of their health and to continue to conserve water. — Sunday Locus/ BAP, GMA Integrated News