By Leilanie Adriano/Philippine News Agency
LAOAG CITY — Drought-stricken residents in this city woke up with a smile on Wednesday with an unexpected rain shower.
“We are so much thankful for the amount of rain it poured today. It is refreshing,” said Elaine Mateo, a resident of this city.
Based on the weather outlook for the Holy Week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the whole country will have warm and humid weather condition although there could be scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, particularly over Northern and Central Luzon.
Since last week, there have been isolated rains in some parts of Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte but the amount of rainfall is insignificant to drying rivers and farmlands.
Before dawn, Ronel Abad, a tricycle driver here, danced with joy as he expressed excitement while driving for passengers around the city under the rain.
“The warm temperature has been too much to bear for us over the past weeks,” said Abad as he shifted working to nighttime from daytime due to the scorching heat of the sun.
Unlike in previous years when the impact of El Niño was not significantly felt by farmers here, Rogelio Ceredon, president of a farmers’ association in Dingras, said Wednesday this year’s prolonged drought continues to adversely affect their source of income.
“We were not able to plant high value crops this summer because of drought,” he said, adding this was further aggravated by still unrepaired irrigation systems by the National Irrigation Administration in various parts of the province.
Rainfall assessment for the month of April has so far showed that most parts of the country received way below normal rainfall, especially in the Northern Luzon provinces. (PNA)
“We are so much thankful for the amount of rain it poured today. It is refreshing,” said Elaine Mateo, a resident of this city.
Based on the weather outlook for the Holy Week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the whole country will have warm and humid weather condition although there could be scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, particularly over Northern and Central Luzon.
Since last week, there have been isolated rains in some parts of Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte but the amount of rainfall is insignificant to drying rivers and farmlands.
Before dawn, Ronel Abad, a tricycle driver here, danced with joy as he expressed excitement while driving for passengers around the city under the rain.
“The warm temperature has been too much to bear for us over the past weeks,” said Abad as he shifted working to nighttime from daytime due to the scorching heat of the sun.
Unlike in previous years when the impact of El Niño was not significantly felt by farmers here, Rogelio Ceredon, president of a farmers’ association in Dingras, said Wednesday this year’s prolonged drought continues to adversely affect their source of income.
“We were not able to plant high value crops this summer because of drought,” he said, adding this was further aggravated by still unrepaired irrigation systems by the National Irrigation Administration in various parts of the province.
Rainfall assessment for the month of April has so far showed that most parts of the country received way below normal rainfall, especially in the Northern Luzon provinces.
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