ILOILO City – Holy Week pilgrims, particularly those who plan to embark on mountain treks or join religious processional activities, are being advised to don lightweight attire, utilize umbrellas for sun protection, opt for lukewarm over cold water for hydration, and eschew direct sunlight exposure and rigorous activities during the midday heat peak.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Iloilo, the week will be hot and arid.
The region is expected to endure easterly winds or warm air streams from the Pacific Ocean, explained Engr. Ferdinand Rubin Jr., a weather specialist with PAGASA Iloilo.
This phenomenon will predominantly lead to elevated temperatures, especially between 12 noon and 2 p.m., continuing through the week and into the weekend, he said.
Rubin added, however, that should these easterlies intensify, there is a possibility of cloud formation leading to light to moderate rainfall across various locales in Region 6, most likely during afternoons and evenings.
Rubin also emphasized that drought, characterized by a three-month sequence of significantly below-normal rainfall (a decrease exceeding 60 percent from the average), presents serious challenges, particularly concerning water supply for residential use and agriculture.
The scarcity of rain diminishes water availability, adversely affecting the agricultural sector, including crop yields, as corroborated by considerable damages reported by the Department of Agriculture.
PAGASA anticipates the impact of El Niño to persist until May, with expectations for a gradual shift towards neutral weather conditions spanning from April to June./PN
