MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ni Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. nitong Martes na magpapatuloy ang epekto ng umiiral El Niño hanggang Agosto.
Sa Palace press briefing, ibinahagi ni Solidum ang datos kung ilang lalawigan ang maaapektuhan ng tagtuyot at dry spell dulot ng phenomenon mula April hanggang August.
”The forecast for the ongoing effects of El Niño would continue for April – we have 48 provinces to be affected by drought; 24 dry spell; but by May, it will be 54 provinces to be provinces to be affected by drought and 10 dry spell. So, almost the same if you combine both the drought and dry spell but the drought-affected provinces will continue to persist based on DOST-PAGASA’s outlook – 25 by June, 23 by July and 10 by August,” wika ni Solidum.
Gayundin, sinabi ng DOST chief na magkakaroon din ng mga probinsyang apektado ng pinagsamang epekto ng El Niño at paghahanda para sa La Niña.
”Hence, we need to continue doing the operations for El Niño preparedness but also keeping in mind that we need to prepare for La Niña in the second half of the year,” wika ng opisyal.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Solidum na may 62% tiyansang maranasan ng bansa ang La Niña [agsapit ng Hunyo.
“Although the El Niño will transition to neutral by April, May, June 2024 season, there is also the increasing probability of La Niña at 62% in June, July, August season,” ayon kay Solidum.
Samantala, binanggit ni Solidum na nilikha ng DOST sa pamamagitan ng PHIVOLCS, na may inputs mula sa DOST-PAGASA at iba pang mga ahensya, ang El Niño Southern Oscillation platform, na tumutugon sa limang sektor– pagkain, tubig, kalusugan, public safety at enerhiya.
”The public can actually look at the platform to know more about these different sectors, what the government agencies are doing. But they can also look at information materials that can help them prepare for El Niño and later on, La Niña and to make sure that they contribute to the preparedness of their communities for these hazards,” ani Solidum. RNT/SA
