La Niña alert raised

State weather bureau PAGASA on Friday raised La Niña alert amid the further cooling of the sea surface temperatures (SST) in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

According to their monitoring, the weather bureau said there is a 70% chance the La Niña phenomenon may start in August-September-October and may persist until the first quarter of 2025.

La Niña is characterized by unusually cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP). It is usually associated with above-normal rainfall conditions.

PAGASA earlier said its onset may be further pushed back toward the end of the year, with a 55% chance it may occur sometime between October and December.

"The country may experience a higher chance of increased convective activity and tropical cyclone occurrence which may bring above normal rainfall over some parts of the country in the coming months," the weather bureau said.

"Potential adverse impacts may include floods and landslides over vulnerable areas, with varying magnitude," it said.

PAGASA said it will continue to monitor developments in the climate phenomenon as it urges the public and concerned government agencies to take precautionary measures against La Niña. —VBL, GMA Integrated News