PAGASA-XI alerts public on effects of El Nino

DAVAO CITY, Mar 23 (PIA) A meteriologist  of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astrological Services Administration in  Region 11 confirmed the occurrence of the El Nino Phenomenon in the country affecting Davao Region.

Engr. Gerry Pedrico, chief weather forecaster of the PAGASA 11 said based on their latest monitoring that hot weather condition is going on, characterized by unusually warm ocean temperature in the Central and Eastern Equitorial Pacific since the last quarter of 2014.

He said a weak El Nino is in progress and will likely to affect the amount of rainfall in many parts of the country in the coming months.

“Impacts include warmer temperature in varying degrees from place to place and from time to time,” Pedrico said.

He said the country can still experience the existing number of tropical cyclones from 19 to 20 typhoons each year.

Pedrico said that because of this development, the dry condition advisory issued last year is currently upgraded to El Nino advisory.

“All agencies are advised to promote precautionary measures to mitigate the potential adverse impacts,” he pointed out.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte cited the need to supply water to the irrigation system particularly in Toril area where drought is gradually felt.

He welcomed the advice to come up with a mobile tanks to supply water to dry areas.

Duterte said the highest source of water in the city is in Barangay Marahan in Marilog District.

He said the problem is how to marshal the water upland down to the lowland.

“It is going to be very expensive because we need several kilometers of pipeline,” Duterte said.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)