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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 26 areas hit by drought as Luzon, parts of Visayas record 'below normal' rainfall

26 areas hit by drought as Luzon, parts of Visayas record 'below normal' rainfall

Published May 27, 2026 04:12 pm

At A Glance

  • The assessment is based on actual rainfall data from December 2025 to May 2026, covering consecutive months of below-normal to way below-normal rainfall conditions in affected areas.
PAGASA
PAGASA
Twenty-six areas are now experiencing drought as prolonged dry weather persists in several parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The assessment is based on actual rainfall data from December 2025 to May 24, 2026, covering consecutive months of below-normal to way below-normal rainfall conditions in affected areas.
During a climate forum on May 26, PAGASA weather specialist Ryan Diocampo said monitoring showed sustained rainfall deficits in several regions, particularly in Luzon and parts of the Visayas.
“Mula Mayo 1-24 ay mapapansin po natin na may malaking bahagi pa rin po ng Luzon at ilang probinsya sa western Visayas ang nakatanggap ng higit na mababa kaysa karaniwan na pag-ulan (From May 1 to 24, we can observe that a large part of Luzon and some provinces in Western Visayas still received way below-normal rainfall),” Diocampo said.
PAGASA data showed that 37 areas in Luzon and the Visayas experienced “way below-normal” rainfall conditions during the period, with only the southern part of Eastern Visayas recording comparatively better rainfall levels.
Twenty-eight areas, mostly in Mindanao, experienced “near-normal” rainfall.
Meanwhile, 18 areas received “below-normal” rainfall, while two areas recorded “above-normal” rainfall.
PAGASA classifies rainfall conditions as way below-normal when rainfall is 40 percent less than normal, below-normal at 41 to 80 percent less, near-normal at 81 to 120 percent of average, and above-normal when exceeding 120 percent.
Prolonged dry conditions have led to drought in 26 areas, including Abra, Albay, Apayao, Bataan, Benguet, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Masbate, Metro Manila, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Pangasinan, Quirino, and Rizal.
“Ito po ay three consecutive months na way below normal rainfall condition (These are areas that have experienced three consecutive months of way below-normal rainfall conditions),” Diocampo said.
Meanwhile, 25 areas are under a dry spell. These include Aurora, Batanes, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cavite, Marinduque, Palawan, Kalayaan Island, Pampanga, Quezon, Romblon, Tarlac, Zambales, Aklan, Biliran, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Davao City, Sarangani, and Tawi-Tawi.
“Ito po ay ang mga lalawigan na merong three consecutive months na merong below-normal rainfall condition (These are the provinces that have experienced three consecutive months of below-normal rainfall conditions),” he said.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast, rainfall conditions from June to September are generally expected to be near-normal across most parts of the country.
However, during July to August, western sections of the Philippines are likely to receive above-normal rainfall, likely coinciding with stronger southwest monsoon (habagat) activity.
READ MORE:
mb.com.ph/2026/04/24/el-nino-to-bring-wetter-habagat-season

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PAGASA DROUGHT DRY SPELL EL NIÑO
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