SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) urged Antiqueños to save water due to the presence of a weak El Niño since August.
Ronaldo Naragdao, chief of the Iloilo station of Pagasa, in an interview on Tuesday, said the weak El Niño is a part of routine climate pattern that could mean below normal rainfall. With this, Antiqueños and even the people in Western Visayas are asked to save water.
Naragdao was in Antique for the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (RDRRM) Council 6 (Western Visayas) full meeting hosted by the province.
Because of the El Niño phenomenon, the weather bureau’s monitoring showed that there had been variably 20-28 dry days per month. This situation could also extend up to next year, he said.
Naragdao appealed to the people to adopt water harvesting measures to collect rainwater. Water harvesting measures such as capturing the rain water on containers for household use and in flushing of toilets can be helpful at this time.
“Farmers may also divert to other crops which are drought resistant,” he said.
Among the drought resistant crops are cassava and purple yam that need less water for cultivation.
He said that aside from saving water, the senior citizens are specially advised to protect themselves from heat stroke by avoiding direct exposure to intense heat of the sun. (PNA)
