The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday, April 8 said 41 areas in the country may experience drought by the end of the month.
It said drought may affect 19 areas in Luzon, including Abra, Apayao, Batangas, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, Masbate, Metro Manila, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Palawan.
Meanwhile, 14 areas in Visayas may face drought, including Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occudental, Negros Oriental, Samar, Siquijor, and Southern Leyte.
It also said eight areas in Mindanao may experience drought, including Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
PAGASA defined drought as a three-consecutive month of way-below normal rainfall condition or more than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.
Moreover, most parts of the country may have “slightly below-average to warmer-than-average” surface air temperatures by the end of April, said PAGASA.
It said the temperature ranges include 21.0⁰C to 38.0⁰C in Metro Manila; 12.0⁰C to 29.5⁰C in the mountainous areas of Luzon; 18.0⁰C to 39.5⁰C over the rest of Luzon; 21.0⁰C to 37.5⁰C in Visayas; 15.0⁰C to 36.0⁰C in the mountainous areas of Mindanao; and 21.0⁰C to 39.5⁰C in the rest of Mindanao.
PAGASA said El Niño phenomenon continues to weaken with a suggestion from the majority of the climate models that the transition to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral condition in April-May-June season is at 83 percent, while the probability for La Niña in June-July-August season is at 62 percent.