Rising heat has begun to dry up streams and damage farms in Casiguran, Aurora, raising concerns over worsening dry conditions, local officials said.

Several small streams have already dried, and some fish have died as water levels dropped. Farms in the area are also feeling the impact of the intense heat.

The Municipal Agriculture Office earlier said up to 30 hectares of farmland could be affected due to lack of irrigation, especially in upland areas that rely only on rain.

There is no declared El Niño, but dry conditions are already affecting many parts of the country. State weather bureau PAGASA said at least 15 provinces in Luzon are experiencing drought.

Among them are Cagayan and Isabela, which have been placed under a state of calamity.

PAGASA defines drought as three straight months of below-normal rainfall.

Amid the situation, environmental group Philippine Movement for Climate Justice urged the government to declare a national climate emergency due to the growing impact.

Malacañang has yet to comment on the call.