El Niño-affected provinces down to 41 —PAGASA

The number of provinces affected by the El Niño phenomenon decreased to 41 from 50, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In a statement, Task Force El Niño said PAGASA made the update during their latest meeting.

“PAGASA also noted the reduction in the number of provinces affected by El Niño. From a total of 50 affected areas based on January 21, 2024 assessment to now 41 affected provinces,” the task force said.

Despite the reduction, the task force said preparations still need to be enforced due to strong and mature El Niño that may continue until May. 

It said that drought is still being experienced in Apayao, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, and Pangasinan.

PAGASA defines drought as having 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.

In Bangui, Ilocos Norte, residents said the water level in their fisheries dropped from human-deep to knee-deep due to the El Niño effects, Unang Balita reported on Tuesday. 

Due to this, some residents have harvested tilapia early. 

In Piddig town, corn farmers expressed concern about the declining water level in their storage. They were also facing difficulty in fetching water from wells due to the drought.

In Burgos, Isabela, some crops were damaged. Farmers are planning to feed the damaged crops to their animals or use them as fertilizers.

The water supply in dams is sufficient until May, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy is enforcing interventions for energy security.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News