• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted that Negros Occidental may be spared from the worst effects of the strong to very strong El Niño phenomenon expected to affect parts of the country in the coming months, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Irene Bel Ploteña diclosed.
Ploteña said PAGASA projects that a strong El Niño may develop between September and November, while a very strong El Niño could occur from October to December.
While Negros Occidental may not be included in the list of areas expected to experience dry conditions due to the El Niño, Ploteña, however, advised local authorities not to lower their guard. Instead of preparing mainly for drought, disaster response teams are now focusing more on the possibility of heavy rains and flooding that may result from anticipated monsoon rains.
Ploteña explained that a very strong El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures that take a long time to cool down, often resulting in extreme heat and dry weather conditions in many areas.
Instead, Negros Occidental is expected to experience a relatively different weather pattern. During the same months, the province is likely to have rainy conditions brought by the southwest monsoon, which is expected to bring significant rainfall, especially to the western side of the province.*
