All provinces in the country are expected to experience drought by March 2027 due to the increasing effects of El Niño, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. warned Monday.
‘By the end of March, all provinces,’ Solidum said during a Palace briefing when asked how many provinces were expected to experience drought or very dry conditions due to El Niño.
Drought occurs when there are several consecutive months of unusually low rainfall, specifically, three consecutive months with more than 60 percent less rainfall than average, or five consecutive months with rainfall 21 to 60 percent below normal.
Solidum also clarified what experts mean by ‘Super El Niño’ and how it may affect the Philippines.
‘Super El Niño is a description of the condition in the Pacific. Its effects on us will vary. As you can see, the provinces experiencing more severe drought are expected to be affected next year, not now, because there is a time lag in its effects,’ he explained.
‘So, we need to clarify to our fellow Filipinos that the term ‘El Niño’ describes the condition in the Pacific, not in the Philippines. When we say El Niño, it means that sea surface temperatures are much higher than normal. However, its effects here, such as whether there will be insufficient rainfall, will still depend on the amount of rain that comes and how much rainfall we receive,’ he added.
Solidum said the southwest monsoon had masked the effects of El Niño, which was why its impact had not yet been fully felt.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will revive its water conservation campaign as the country prepares for the possible effects of El Niño.
During the same briefing, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna urged the public to use water wisely, stressing that everyone has a role in protecting the country’s water supply.
‘Every individual, every citizen, needs to do their part by conserving water,’ he said.