Only one tropical cyclone or possibly even none at all will enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month amid the prevailing El Niño, the state weather bureau said.
At least two to five tropical cyclones are expected to enter PAR during the first half of the year, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said.
The bureau yesterday released the names of typhoons that will enter PAR this year: Aghon, Butchoy, Carina, Dindo, Enteng, Ferdie, Gener, Helen, Igme, Julian, Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, Pepito, Querubin, Romina, Siony, Tonyo, Upang, Vicky, Warren, Yoyong and Zosimo
PAGASA also listed 10 backup names in case more than 25 tropical cyclones enter the country: Alakdan, Baldo, Clara, Dencio, Estong, Felipe, Gomer, Heling, Ismael and Julio.
As this developed, the La Niña phenomenon could also delay the onset of the rainy season, the bureau said.
Ana Lisa Solis, PAGASA climate monitoring and prediction section head, said described the possible delay in the rainy season, which usually starts around late May or early June, as “very critical.
“Although the uncertainty (of La Niña) is still high, most of the models say there is a possibility. So we are looking into the long term climate situation,” Solis said.
Only 11 typhoons entered PAR last year because of the El Niño phenomenon.
The Department of Agriculture, along with other agencies and the Interagency Task Force on El Niño, has started implementing measures to contain the impact of the impending drought on food production and agricultural stakeholders. Rio Araja and Othel Campos
Among the measures carried out by the DA include the repair of and rehabilitation of irrigation canals.
Over 740 kilometers of the targeted 843 kilometers have been fixed or built as of November, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
Laurel said 40 units of small-scale irrigation systems have been revamped, covering 1,477.5 hectares to improve water distribution efficiency.
The Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) has also requested P112 million for cloud-seeding operations in 2024 to augment water for crops during low rainfall periods.
Cloud seeding sorties will be a joint effort with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of National Defense (DND). Both are expected to provide crucial information and aircraft for seeding operations, the bureau noted.
The DA will also introduce alternative livelihoods to farmers, animal raisers and fisherfolk.
