Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, July
14 (PIA) -- A ten-day weather forecast by PAGASA-Visayas showed that Central
Visayas will experience warm weather from July 14 to 24, this despite the onset
of the rainy season and largely brought about by the El Niño.
PAGASA-Visayas Chief Engr. Oscar Tabada said temperature during
this period will be between 25 to 32 degrees Celsius while no weather
disturbance is seen to affect the region within the next several days.
Tabada said the last onslaught of rains recorded was in July 10
adding that even slight rains would be a low possibility during this period.
“This is the first time in history that the country is plagued by
a long El Niño,” said Tabada during the forum of the Association of Government
Information Officers (AGIO-7) that featured the observance of the National
Disaster Consciousness Month this July.
El Niño started in October 2014 and will continue to persist until
May 2016 as Cebu and Negros Oriental will suffer from dry spell, said Tabada
adding that a dry spell refers to below normal average rainfall for three
consecutive months.
Tabada said normal average rainfall for July is 203 millimeters
but as of today, recorded rainfall falls extremely short at only 70
millimeters.
“This pose a problem on our water supply as part of campaign now
is also to urge people to conserve water amid the dry spell,” said the PAGASA-Visayas
chief.
Although Bohol would have normal average rainfall, this would be
60 percent lesser than the annual average, bared Tabada.
The number of tropical cyclones on the other hand, would be lesser
due to the El Niño based on historical data but the typhoon’s intensity when
they come would be “more destructive,” said Tabada.
The last quarter of the year or from October to December, the
typhoons' paths would hit Central Visayas as Tabada said disaster preparedness
is imperative.
Tabada likewise announced that it would give a five-to-seven-day
extended weather forecast five days before the start of the first APEC meeting
in Cebu in August. (fcr/PIA7)