Heavy flooding due to Typhoon “Egay” could also mitigate the effects of the impending El Niño phenomenon in the country, according to an official of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“May mga beneficial effects din naman ang mga pag-ulan dahil for example, tumaas ang lebel ng ating mga dams,” PAGASA Deputy Administrator Nathaniel Servando said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, July 29.
Servando also confirmed that the water supply is enough for the rest of the year despite the expected reduction of rainfall by the last quarter as a side effect of El Niño.
He also emphasized that 11 typhoons or storms are still expected either to enter or pass through the Philippine area of responsibility before the end of the year.
“At least eight hanggang 11 na bagyo. At dito sa Angat for example, inaasahan natin na at least two storms or typhoons ang dadaan para supisyente (sufficient) iyong…tumaas iyong lebel ng Angat,” he added.
The PAGASA official assured the public of their continuous monitoring for possible changes in the current weather forecast as he emphasized that even if typhoons are expected to lessen by the last quarter of the year, it is anticipated that the tropical storms are going to be stronger as an effect of El Niño.
“Kapag may El Niño kasi ang inaasahan natin na malalakas iyong mga bagyo, particularly towards the later part of the year, mga bandang September, October ang tinatamaan na dito lagi ay ang ating mga kalupaan, particular Visayas area,” the PAGASA official said.
“Paghandaan po natin bagama’t ang PAGASA ay palaging nagmo-monitor at kung may changes man, may namumuo kahit na ito ay sa labas ng Philippine Area of Responsibility ay kaagad naming pinaabot sa mga ahensiya na involved sa preparedness health, kagaya ng Office ng Civil Defense,” he added.
The Marcos Administration through the National El Niño Team has been developing various water conservation programs which seek to mitigate the effects of the looming dry spell in the country. PND
