June hoped to bring more rains for Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu's accumulated rainfall dropped significantly in May, according to the data from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Mactan station.

The drought-stricken province, which is still under a state of calamity, marked a rainfall deficit of 87 percent in May.

But it is hoped that rainfall conditions this June would bounce back to quench Cebu's dry lands and watersheds.

Alfredo Quiblat Jr., chief of PAGASA-Visayas, told The FREEMAN that for 31 days in May, Cebu had only received an accrued rainfall of 14.2 millimeters -- which is "way below" than the normal.

He said Cebu's average rainfall amount for May is set at 108.8 millimeters.

Comparing the actual rainfall from the average, Cebu was on a deficit by 94.6 millimeters, he said.

Cebu has been experiencing a scarcity of rain for consecutive months since February. That month, Cebu had a deficit of 33.1 percent.

In March, the province registered a deficit of almost 77 percent.

Cebu reached dry spell levels in April when it logged a nearly 59 percent deficit.

Conditions even worsened in May as Cebu suffered from drought, eventually ending with 87 percent deficit.

Climate outlook for June shows positive developments, though.

Quiblat said forecast shows that more rains are expected in June compared to previous months when there was lack of rain.

He said that this month, Cebu is more likely to receive "near" the average of 190.4 millimeters rainfall amount.

“Near normal rainfall condition for June, meaning (there may be) more rains compared to past months,” he said.

Also, he said the onset of the rainy season may come in the second week of June.

The start of the rainy or wet season typically occurs in the second half of May or first half of June.

Weather experts earlier warned that the onset of rains may be delayed because of the presence of the weak El Niño.

An El Niño is a natural phenomenon characterized by the unusual warming of the tropical Pacific. Its effect to the neighboring regions varies and depends on the country's location. Here in the Philippines, an El Niño causes scarce rains and warm weather.

Based on recent forecasts, the weak El Niño is more likely to persist until August. Other predictions indicate that there are chances it may last until the end of the year; however, the uncertainty of this forecast is still high.

On these periods, the El Niño event is expected to remain on a "weak" level.

The prolonged dry weather brought severe impacts to the agricultural and farm lands, the fish production and water supply here.

Damage and loss to crops, livestock, and fisheries reached more than P121 million, based on reports from 35 local government units gathered by the Capitol's disaster unit.

The same data indicated that households affected by the weak El Niño numbered over 13,000 (about 67,000 individuals) while more than 7,600 farmers and over 900 fishers were affected. (FREEMAN)