Rainy season likely in 2nd week of June

Filipinos may have to wait until the second or third week of June for rain, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Rene Paciente, chief of PAGASA’s marine meteorological services section, said they expect the rainy season to start in the second or third week of June.

The criteria for declaring the onset of the rainy season include the prevalence of the southwest monsoon and the 25-millimeter rainfall recorded in at least five

of the eight PAGASA stations nationwide for five consecutive days.

He said the country is currently experiencing a seasonal climate transition from dry to rainy season.

During a transition period, the country, particularly the western section, normally experiences frequent thunderstorms.

Paciente said warm and humid weather will continue to affect most parts of the country in the next five days.

He said extreme northern Luzon will experience light to moderate rains due to a trough of a low-pressure area.

“We still expect the warm, humid weather to continue until the early part of June because of the absence of rains,” Paciente said.

He said in Metro Manila, the temperature could still hit 37 degrees Celsius in the coming days or weeks.

The hottest temperature recorded in the metropolis so far this year was 36.4 degrees Celsius.

Paciente noted that the onset of the rainy season was delayed due to the prevailing El Niño phenomenon over the Pacific Ocean.

He said the agency normally declares the start of rainy season in the last week of May.

However, he said the presence of a tropical cyclone could enhance the rain-producing southwest monsoon.

Cebu under state of calamity

Meanwhile, Cebu City has been placed under a state of calamity due to water scarcity resulting from the intense heat caused by the mild El Niño, a police official said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Tom Bañas, Central Visayas police director, said the city council made the move to address the problem on water supply, particularly of those living in mountainous areas.

According to the Metro Cebu Water District, low water pressure is being experienced by residents of Barangays Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Guadalupe, Carreta, Pardo and Bulacao, all in Cebu City; and Barangays Pooc, Lagtang and Lawaan in Talisay City.

Bañas said they are coordinating closely with the city government to ensure that necessary assistance will be extended to those in need.