The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) urged strong public vigilance against potential environmental hazards such as floods and landslides amid ongoing La Niña-like weather conditions that will most likely persist until March.
Ana Liza Solis, chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, said over the weekend there is a 72 percent chance that weather disturbances attributed to La Niña will prevail in the first quarter of the year based on their latest advisory.
The La Niña episode is already nearing the borderline, Solis explained, adding that while the full La Niña threshold might be reached in the coming months, it does not necessarily mean a prolonged or intense episode lasting six months or more.
Solis emphasized the weather impacts already being observed, noting stronger easterlies and frequent weather disturbances. “We are currently experiencing a shear line, which is typical with La Niña-like conditions,” she said.
She also warned the public to stay vigilant, as the increased likelihood of rain-triggering weather systems could result in flooding and landslides in the coming days.
“The public must not be complacent because there would be many weather systems that could possibly trigger rains causing floods and landslides in the coming days,” Solis noted.
PAGASA advised local government units and residents to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions to minimize the potential impacts of adverse weather conditions.
