Only 11 to 14 tropical cyclones expected in 2023 due to El Niño –PAGASA

While an average of 18 to 21 tropical cyclones usually enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility each year, this year weather service PAGASA expected only around 11 to 14 cyclones due to the El Niño phenomenon.

"May bagyo man, hindi ito lalapit sa kalupaan," said PAGASA Weather Specialist Aldczar Aurelio in Dano Tingcungco's 24 Oras Weekend report on Sunday. "Halos northward ang kilos niya o recurve."

Furthermore, there was also a possibility that a high-pressure area or anti-cyclone to the east of the country would prevent the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, which brings rain, from influencing the weather.

According to PAGASA's projections, a normal amount of rain could still be expected from June to July.

However, once the El Niño arrives in August, the rainfall amount will slowly drop below normal.

This drop would first occur in the Visayas, and the Bicol and Caraga Regions. Then by October and November, the rainfall amount would drop across the whole country.

This means that during the so called "Ber" months or the Amihan season, conditions would be summer-like.

"Parang tag-init sa atin yan," said PAGASA's Aurelio. "Hindi natin masyadong mararanasan ang malamig na panahon."

He added that June and July would be the time to start storing water.

Meanwhile, the National Water Resources Board is preparing for the drop in water levels in several dams.

Cloud seeding could be resorted to, as well as reducing the allocation for irrigation during the wet-cropping season, which starts on June 16.

"Pinayagan na rin natin ang concessionaires ng MWSS to operate ang tinatawag na standby deep wells," said NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David. "Plano rin ang pag-increase ng production sa mga facility na nandito sa Laguna Lake at part ng Marikina River.

The NWRB had earlier appealed to the public to conserve water. — DVM, GMA Integrated news