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Which areas in PH are likely to be hit by drought in 2026?
PAGASA has released an El Niño Alert ang PAGASA on April 22, 2026 that serves as a warning that several parts of the country are at risk of experiencing severe drought in the coming months.
Water levels in several dams in the country are lower than normal due to the unusually warm weather, according to the latest PAGASA data.
In a recently released video from GMA News Feed, the water level of Angat Dam is at 186.53 meters, which is lower than its normal high water level of 212 meters.
Meanwhile, Ipo Dam has a 100.68-meter water level, which is less than the normal water level of 101.10 meters.
On April 22, PAGASA issued an El Niño Alert as forecast probability rose to 79%, with a chance of developing from June to August and could last until 2027.
PAGASA raises an El Niño Alert when the probability is 70% or higher within the next two to three months.
This means below-normal rainfall or scant chance of rainfall will persist in various areas, which will affect water and energy supply, agricultural conditions, and public safety.
In the last week of April, some areas in the country are experiencing drought, dry spell, and dry conditions.
According to PAGASA, there is a drought when rainfall is over 60% less than normal rainfall conditions in the past three consecutive months.
As of April 22, 2026, there are 15 areas in Luzon experiencing drought:
- Abra
- Apayao
- Benguet
- Ifugao
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- Isabela
- Kalinga
- La Union
- Mountain Province
- Nueva Ecija
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Pangasinan
- Quirino
- Tarlac
A dry spell occurs when there is 21% to 60% less than the average rainfall for three consecutive months.
As of April 22, there are 32 areas in the country experiencing a dry spell:
- Albay
- Bataan
- Batangas
- Bulacan
- Cagayan
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Cavite
- Laguna
- Marinduque
- Masbate
- Metro Manila
- Occidental Mindoro
- Oriental Mindoro
- Palawan
- Pampanga
- Quezon
- Rizal
- Romblon
- Sorsogon
- Zambales
- Antique
- Guimaras
- Northern Samar
- Basilan
- Davao City
- Davao Del Norte
- Davao Del Sur
- Sulu
- Tawi Tawi
- Zamboanga Del Sur
Meanwhile, a location is considered to be under dry conditions where there is 21% to 60% less than average rainfall for two consecutive months.
Twenty-three locations in the country are experiencing dry conditions:
- Aurora
- Aklan
- Biliran
- Capiz
- Eastern Samar
- Iloilo
- Leyte
- Negros Occidental
- Samar
- Southern Leyte
- Agusan del Sur
- Bukidnon
- Davao Occidental
- Davao Oriental
- Lanao Del Norte
- Lanao Del Sur
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Sarangani
- South Cotabato
- Sultan Kudarat
- Zamboanga Del Norte
- Zambaonga Sibugay
Aside from the dry season, the Philippines should also prepare for El Niño which for this year could bring fewer yet stronger typhoons, which are expected to begin during the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) season.
Communities in the western part of the Philippines are also being advised to prepare for the possibility of above-normal rainfall or heavier rains.
In March, the National Water Resources Board reminded water providers to implement early water conservation measures to cater to the demand on water supply, in line with strategies used during previous El Niño years.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is preparing a training program with other government agencies on preventing and controlling grass fires and forest fires.
The Department of Agriculture is also coordinating with the National Irrigation Administration to optimize water allocation and ensure irrigation systems are ready to support farmers during prolonged drought conditions. —RF, GMA News
