New book on El Niño off the press

A new book on El Niño is off the press.

Titled "El Niño Southern Oscillation: Mitigating Measures," the volume is a joint project of the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST—PCARRD) and the Department of Agriculture.

The book is a compilation of lessons and experiences on the atmospheric aberation. It takes into account the past 98 years where 23 El Niño episodes, including the worst (1982-83) and the strongest (1997) have been reported.

Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, PCARRD executive director, said the publication also discusses technologies and information developed by researchers and scientists in the country to help mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño.

Contained in the book are 14 technologies for the livestock sector, nine for agricultural resources and management, eight for crop, six for forestry and five for fisheries.

Copies of the book are now available in more than 200 libraries of state colleges and universities and government agencies throughout the country.

As is now widely known, El Niño occurs when westward-blowing trade winds weaken, causing a mass of warm water normally located near Australia to move eastward to western South America.

This phenomenon triggers heavy rains, massive snowstorms in rocky mountains, cyclones and hurricanes in some parts of the world and prolonged drought in other parts.

Faylon said small farmers and fisherfolk usually suffer considerably from the devastating effects of El Niño.

"With the information contained in this book the crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries sectors are deemed better prepared for the onslaught of El Niño this year," he said. — Rudy Fernandez