Dry spell to worsen, trigger storms

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MANILA — The country’s weather bureau on Friday said that dry spell may worsen in the coming months and may trigger stronger storms.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that this may continue the drought observed in many provinces in the country.

The bureau also warned that it may intensify from August to December and will cause the country to experience less rainfall than the usual in the months of rainy season.

The dry spell is caused by the El Nino phenomenon or the warming of the ocean temperatures.

Drought or the experience of less than 60-percent of normal rainfall is observed in more than 50 provinces in the country.

Provinces expected to suffer the lack of rain includes Apayao, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Palawan, Pampanga, Rizal, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Tarlac and Zambales.

Meanwhile, seven provinces including Cebu, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Palawan, Biliran and Leyte experience drought from August to December.

The weather bureau also warned against stronger storms which may be caused by El Nino, characterized by the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.