In the midst of a strong and mature El Niño, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has reported an increase in the number of provinces grappling with drought to now 14 across the country.
As end-January, Benguet, Ifugao, Pangasinan, , Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Sur, La Union have been added to the list of drought-affected provinces.
PAGASA earlier declared drought in the provinces of Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Cagayan, Apayao, Bataan, and Palawan.
Drought conditions is defined by PAGASA as a decrease in rainfall ranging from 21 percent to 60 percent below the average for five consecutive months or falling well below the norm for three consecutive months.
Projections indicate that by the end of February, the number of drought-hit provinces may escalate to a total of 24.
Experts at PAGASA have cautioned that the El Niño phenomenon is anticipated to persist throughout the current month, with most global climate models predicting it will last into the March-May season.
Moreover, dry spells have been observed in 10 provinces spanning Luzon and Visayas, including including Abra, Aurora, Bataan, Isabela, Metropolitan Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Quirino, Rizal and Zambales.
PAGASA specifies that a dry spell signifies below normal rainfall conditions persisting for three consecutive months.
In addition to the dry spells, 17 provinces nationwide have experienced dry conditions characterized by below-normal rainfall for two consecutive months.
Looking ahead, PAGASA forecasts that most parts of the country are likely to experience way below to below-normal rainfall, with precipitation levels anticipated to hover around 45-50 percent.
