ILOILO City – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned residents of Western Visayas about the likelihood of hotter weather from March through April, indicating the onset of the dry season.
Engr. Ferdinand Rubin Jr., a weather specialist with PAGASA-Iloilo, said temperatures could fluctuate between 32 to 34 degrees Celsius during this period.
“As we enter the hot and dry season, it is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared. Easterlies, being the dominant weather system, are expected to bring higher temperatures in the coming weeks,” Rubin told Panay News.
So far, the highest temperature recorded in the region was 34.2 degrees Celsius on March 3, following a close 33.9 degrees Celsius on Feb. 21.
Rubin also highlighted the potential for drought in the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Antique, and Guimaras, while Aklan and Capiz could experience dry spells this March.
A drought is characterized by three consecutive months of significantly below-normal rainfall (less than a 60 percent reduction from average), whereas a dry spell involves three months of slightly better, but still below-normal rainfall conditions (21 to 60 percent reduction).
The primary concern with drought conditions is the impact on water supply for both domestic and agricultural uses.
“A reduction in rainfall can lead to water scarcity, which is critical for water supply and the agriculture sector,” Rubin said.
The agriculture sector, in particular, faces the risk of crop failure, a concern evidenced by substantial damages reported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the region.
Despite the challenging outlook, PAGASA Iloilo predicts a low chance of typhoon activity, with zero to one typhoon expected this March.
However, Rubin noted a silver lining with the anticipated weakening of the El Niño phenomenon and a return to normal weather conditions starting in April through June.
“We expect El Niño to weaken and possibly transition away in the coming months, leading to a gradual return to normalcy,” he added.
In light of these forecasts, Rubin advised the public to take precautions such as staying hydrated, using umbrellas, wearing light clothing, avoiding direct sunlight, and refraining from strenuous activities.
He also emphasized the importance of staying updated with weather advisories from PAGASA.
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs) and Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs) are encouraged to implement best practices to mitigate damage during El Niño events.
Recent data from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) reveals significant agricultural damages across four provinces due to El Niño, with Iloilo province suffering the most at a loss of P365 million, followed by Antique (P102 million), Negros Occidental (P60 million), and Capiz (P2.7 million).
The impact on farmers is substantial, with nearly 7,000 affected in Iloilo alone. These figures are subject to change as more reports are compiled by the MAOs./PN
