El Niño may worsen in April — PAGASA

Drier, warmer days ahead

TBy

he drought-driving El Niño phenomenon may cause drier and warmer conditions nationwide this April. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and

and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said way-below normal rainfall in 26 provinces and belownormal rainfall in 57 provinces are possible next month.

It added that 51 provinces or 61 percent of the country may be already drought-stricken while 32 other provinces can be under the dry spell by the end of April this year.

"April is when we see severe impacts in terms of meteorological drought," said Analiza Solis, officerin-charge of the PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section.

Solis explained drought is a condition marked by either three consecutive months of way-below normal rainfall or five consecutive months of below-normal rainfall.

Dry spell, on the other hand, is either two consecutive months of way-below normal rainfall conditions or three consecutive months of belownormal rainfall, she continued.

At a recent forum in Quezon City, Solis reminded the public to brace for heat as PAGASA also forecast maximum temperature in April to range from 28.9 degree Celsius in mountainous Luzon to 38.9 degree Celsius in Mindanao's lowlands and 39.5 degree Celsius in Northern Luzon.

"We'll likely have a prolonged dry season," she said.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY THE WORST IS YET TO COME – A field in Talisay, Cebu, is parched as El Niño grips large parts of the country. Extremely dry conditions are to continue through April, coupled with rising temperatures. (EFE-EPA)