A strong El Niño is prevailing in the Philippines because of the increasing sea surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean that is affecting the archipelago.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday (September 30) that indicators showed the current dry spell would likely surpass the strength of the El Niño episode that lasted from 1997 to 1998.
It is expected to intensify before the year ends, which may even last until the second quarter of 2016.
PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring chief Anthony Lucero said the prevailing dry spell could be among the four strongest episodes of El Niño since 1950.
Simulations showed that large parts of the country would suffer from dry spells or reduced rainfall until May next year, before the weather system transitions into the rainy season by the third quarter of 2016.
As for the water supply in Metro Manila, regulators said they would be coming up with a decision on the water allocation by next month.
