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Seven provinces under state of calamity from El Niño's effects


The local government units from 5 cities and 4 provinces in Mindanao have already declared a state of calamity in the wake of the ongoing El Niño.

In Mindanao, a state of calamity was declared in in the provinces of Davao Del Sur, Cotabato, Maguindanao and Basilan, as well as in the cities of Zamboanga, Kidapawan, General Santos, Cotabato and Koronadal.

A state of calamity was also declared in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, and Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) listed the following municipalities under state of calamity:

Occidental Mindoro

  • Looc
  • Palauan
  • Magsaysay

Zamboanga Sibugay

  • Titay

Bukidnon

  • Libonan

Lanao Del Norte

  • Kapatagan

Cotabato

  • Antipas
  • Matalam
  • Banisilan
  • Kabacan
  • Alamada
  • Carmen
  • Pikit

Sarangani

  • Malungon
  • Glan

South Cotabato

  • Tampakan
  • Tantangan
  • Banga
  • Surallah

Sultan Kudarat

  • Lebak

Basilan

  • Lamitan

Ifugao

  • Alfonso, Lista

 

In an interview on News To Go on Tuesday, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the agency has warned local government units to brace for the El Niño.

“Inaasahan pong nakahanda na ang ating mga kababayan. Kasi last year sinabi na po namin na maapektuhan po tayo ng El Nino,” Aurelio said.

Aurelio said El Niño affect Mindanao greatly because it is closer to the equator.

“Well, yun nga, matindi ang epekto ng El Niño sa Mindanao. Isang dahilan bukod sa El Niño, ay ang Mindanao ay malapit sa equator. Kapag malapit sa equator, madalang magkaroon ng pag-ulan,” he said.

He noted that under normal conditions, rainfall in Mindanao is not that often. This worsens due to the effects of El Niño.

“Under normal conditions, kapag panahon ng March, April, May, lalo na sa Mindanao ay madalang magkaroon ng tag-ulan. Dagdagan pa ng epekto ng El Niño,” Aurelio said.

Even in its waning phase, the climate crisis will persists until the end of May. The climate will stabilize by June.

However, Aurelio indicated that rainfall in June would not be sufficient to alleviate the drought in Mindanao, which would have to wait until July for rains.

“Ngayon ay pahina na ang epekto ng El Niño sa atin at inaasahan natin sa June, magnonormal. Lalo na sa Mindano, mahina ang pag-ulan diyan sa June, hindi kakayanin maibsan ang problema diyan. Magnonormalize lahat starting July,” Aurelio said.

The bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation. — TJD, GMA News

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