Intense heat is drying up water sources and threatening farms in parts of northern Luzon, with residents and farmers in Laoag City and Casiguran reporting worsening conditions.

In Barangay Lagui-Sail in Laoag, some wells have started to run dry, forcing residents to fetch water from other areas. Irrigation systems and nearby farms are also affected.

In Casiguran, rice fields are beginning to dry up, with soil cracking and crops turning yellow due to lack of water. The Municipal Agriculture Office said up to 30 hectares of farmland could be affected if the dry conditions continue.

Local governments said they are monitoring the situation as farmers face growing losses.

The heat is also affecting livestock. Farmers said carabaos, which are used for farm work, tire easily under extreme temperatures and are now bathed more often and given more water.

Cattle in Laoag are also being given vitamins and kept in shaded areas earlier in the day to help them cope with the heat.