By Zea Capistrano
DAVAO CITY - Dry spell and drought will scorch several Mindanao areas as the dry season approaches, according to the latest climate advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
SIGN OF TIMES -- Farmer Irineo Taphag fetches water from a deep well for his watermelon farm in a dried up rice paddy in Barangay Midpapan, Pigcawayan, Cotabato Province. Farmers in the region have started to shift to heat-resistant crop as they are bracing for the dry spell which is expected to be felt by the end of February. (KEITH BACONGCO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Based on Climate Advisory No. 4 released by the state weather bureau on Monday, various climate models prediction showed “the likely persistence of dry condition, dry spell, and drought over most areas in Mindanao.”
PAGASA said the rainfall distribution analysis gathered from February 1 to 21 this year revealed that except for Sulu and Tawi-tawi, almost all provinces in Mindanao had experienced “way below normal rainfall.” This means the rainfall in the provinces have reduced over 60 percent than its average.
PAGASA said the dry season in Mindanao can be expected in the months of March, April, and May.
Sulu and Tawi-Tawi experienced below normal rainfall.
Pagasa said nine Mindanao provinces, namely, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Basilan, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Misamis Oriental are expected to experience dry condition until the end of March.
Dry spell will continue in Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte, and drought is likely to continue in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, and Sulu.
The dry spell is also expected to prevail in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte and Misamis until the later part of April. Pagasa said the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental might also experience dry spell. While drought will continue in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, until the end of April and in Misamis Occidental and Dinagat Islands until the end of May.
The recovery of most regions from lack of rain is not expected until the month of June when the rainy season commences.