Drought to prevail over 24 areas by the end of February --- PAGASA
Twenty-four areas in the country may experience drought by the end of February, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA, in its drought or dry spell assessment map released on Feb. 5, said Metro Manila is among the areas that will experience drought by the end of this month.
Moreover, Nueva Ecija, the country's rice granary, which was one of the provinces alongside Cavite to have first experienced drought even before its peak, is still included in the list.
Among other provinces that will experience drought include Abra, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal, and Zambales.
PAGASA said the drought is the equivalent of a three-consecutive month of a below-normal rainfall condition (21-60 percent reduction from average rainfall).
A "strong" El Niño may persist until February, which is also when the peak will be experienced, PAGASA said.