Philippines braces for El Niño effects

The Philippine government has started its preparations for the possible impact of the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said different government agencies will collaborate for the preparations. 

The Water Resources Management Office (WRMO), meanwhile, said it will release its plans to ease the effects of the El Niño this week, according to a report on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Other agencies tapped for the preparation include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the National Irrigation Administration.

LGUs preparing for El Niño

In Pampanga, 3rd District Board Member Jun Canlas said they have already laid out plans for the irrigation system, aquaculture, and proper use of water in preparation for El Niño's impact.

He added the water supply for irrigation in the province is still sufficient for now.

Canlas added that the local government has already informed farmers of the recommended schedules for their planting activities.

Health concerns

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) warned of the following common health problems during the period of El Niño effects and frequent rains:

• Dengue
• Cholera
• Diarrhea
• Heat stroke
• Dehydration
• Influenza
• Leptospirosis

To prevent dengue, the DOH reminded the public to keep water containers clean to avoid mosquitoes and keep them from laying eggs. The department also advised the public to use insect repellent and mosquito nets.

For the prevention of cholera and diarrhea, the DOH advised the public to always wash their hands and ensure clean drinking water.

To avoid heat stroke and dehydration, the DOH encouraged the public to wear well-ventilated clothing and refrain from doing outdoor activities during hot periods of the day.

Record weather

PAGASA recently declared the start of the El Niño phenomenon in the Tropical Pacific and its effects are now expected in the Philippines.

Apart from the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, the El Niño phenomenon is characterized by below-normal rainfall.

While El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, PAGASA said above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest Monsoon season or Habagat season may also be expected over some parts of the country.

Last week, Manila registered its hottest day of the month on July 5 as the heat index in the Port Area hit 37 degrees Celsius, according to PAGASA.

The state weather bureau said the 37ºC heat index surpassed the previous record of 36.5ºC at the same station on July 2, 1973.

A 35.6ºC heat index was also recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City last week.

PAGASA previously warned that next year could be one of the hottest years on record, with the possibility of prolonged effects from the El Niño phenomenon.

The state weather bureau added that there's an 86% chance that the El Niño effects will be moderate to strong in November, December, and January, and 56% that it will be strong in December, January, and February.

By the end of December, 36 provinces are expected to experience a dry spell while two provinces are forecast to experience drought, which means three consecutive months of rainfall conditions with over 60% reduction from the average rainfall or five consecutive months of rainfall conditions with 21% to 60% reduction. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News