Task Force El Niño urges public to skip using inflatable pools

The government's Task Force El Niño on Thursday asked the public to refrain from using inflatable pools to cool off and instead conserve water to ease the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. 

According to Ian Cruz's report on "24 Oras," task force spokesperson Joey Villarama called for "behavioral change."

“Dapat po we should do our share, our part. Mags-start sa gobyerno pero hinihiling po natin ang tulong ng ating mga kababayan para maibsan ang impact ng El Niño. Ano 'yun? Behavioral change,” Villarama said.

(We should do our share, our part. It will start with the government but we should do our part to mitigate the impact of El Niño. How? Behavioral change.)

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

In May 2023, weather bureau 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.

The task force also called on the public to shorten bathing time and to instead drink more water for replenishment. 

“In our own little way, tumulong po tayo para sama-sama po nating maalpasan o malampasan 'yung banta ng El Niño,” Villarama added. 

(In our own little way, we should all work together to get past this phenomenon.)

The heat index reached 40°C in Cotabato City on Wednesday, Feb. 21, PAGASA said. It is expected to hit 40°C on Friday. 

Farmer dies of heatstroke

A farmer died in Matag-ob, Leyte due to heatstroke on Monday, Feb. 19, with witnesses saying they saw him faint amid the hot weather. 

An examination of Leyte Municipal Office found the farmer succumbed to heart attack due to high temperature. —NB,