THIS early, conserve water.
Such was the warning issued by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), saying the El Nino phenomenon will be greatly felt by the Philippines during the first five months of 2024.
According to the DOST, it is expected to peak in April, and will have a great impact such as drought to 63 provinces.
“Posibleng maramdaman natin hanggang Mayo 2024…Lahat naman ng probinsya ng bansa ay maaapektuhan depende sa buwan pero ang kasagsagan ay Abril kung saan 63 probinsiya ang tinatawag natin na under drought condition na sa 5 buwan ay may below rainfall, 21 percent lower,” DOST Secretary Renato Solidum said in an interview over radio station TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
Solidum said that another 12 provinces may also experience a dry spell, which meant there will be below average rainfall.
However, Caraga and Davao Oriental will not be affected by a dry spell.
The El Nino — a natural, cyclical climate pattern that causes hot weather — will have a great effect on the water supply in different parts of the country, not just Metro Manila.
For their part, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), with water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water, assured that there will be no repeat of the 2019 water crisis in Metro Manila.
“Ang MWSS ang concern nila ay pang Metro Manila lamang, tama? Pagdating sa Metro Manila sa supply, sa kasalukuyan yung level ng Angat Dam ay above nung 212 meters na desired operation kaya nagpapakawala pa sila,” Solidum said.
This means that rainfall may be near normal or normal around May or June, he said.
He advised the public to conserve water and electricity, noting that lower demand could help existing supply last longer.
