BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental only experienced moderate El Niño as some areas of the province still experienced rains.
Based on the climate models released by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the El Niño phenomenon in the country was expected to between moderate to strong.
Dr. Gina Genzola, acting head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the wet weather currently being experienced in the province has somewhat lessened the El Niño phenomenon’s impact particularly in agriculture.
Meanwhile, following Pagasa’s El Niño forecast earlier this year, Genzola said the OPA has prepared measures to mitigate the impact of the dry spell.
Among these is planting crops that are more resistant to droughts.
In Bago City, where around 30 percent of Negros Occidental’s rice supply originates, they are countering the effects of dry spell on rice production by adopting the wetting and drying method of irrigation on rice plantations.
El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface water of the Pacific Ocean.
The phenomenon increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, potentially causing dry spells, droughts, and other adverse environmental effects.
Classes Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather
At least six local government units (LGUs) in northern Negros Occidental canceled classes yesterday because of heavy rains expected to continue due to the shear line affecting the eastern section of the Visayas and the northern monsoon affecting Luzon.
Those that suspended classes at all levels were the towns of E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Calatrava, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
E.B. Magalona advised residents to brace for floods expected in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.
Cadiz City, meanwhile, suspended classes in elementary and secondary levels.
In Sagay City, the Department of Education (DepEd) recommended that learners in island, river, and coastal areas stay home and refrain from going to school “if the conditions constitute any harm, risk or danger.”
In separate advisories, Cadiz City said the suspension of classes is “due to continuous heavy rainfall.”
According to the 24-hour local weather forecast issued yesterday morning, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City will have “cloudy skies and scattered rain showers and thunderstorms caused by shear line.”
The towns of Manapla, Toboso, Calatrava, and Don Salvador Benedicto, and cities of Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos can expect light to moderate with, at times heavy rains. (Watchmen Daily Journal/with a report from Philippine News Agency)/PN
