Amid rainy season: PAGASA reports 80% rainfall shortage in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the prevailing rainy season, the state weather bureau reported that the amount of rainfall recorded for the month of August in Cebu province is short by almost 80 percent.

Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the province experienced below normal rainfall condition in August based on its monthly analysis.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., officer-in-charge of PAGASA-Mactan station, told The Freeman that there was a 79 percent deficit in the accumulated volume of rainfall.

He said the normal average rainfall for August was expected to reach 148.2 millimeters but the actual record only registered 31.2 millimeters.

The rainy season started in the last week of May.  With the shortage of rainfall volume this wet season, the bureau rather observed extreme temperatures over Metro Cebu.

PAGASA Visayas chief Engr. Oscar Tabada said in a separate interview that the variation in the weather system is due to climate change.

"Wala na mosubay sa climatology ang atong panahon," he said.

For August 2016, the highest recorded temperature registered was yesterday at 35.5 degrees Celsius but the heat index or how the actual temperature is felt in the body may be equivalent to 42 degrees Celsius.

"As of 1 p.m. today, maximum temperature observed in Cebu peaked at 12:45 p.m. with 35.5 degrees Celsius while heat index is at 42 degrees Celsius. Normal maximum temperature for August is set at 31.7 degrees Celsius," said Tabada.

The second highest temperature was recorded on August 26 with 34.7 degrees Celsius.

But yesterday's temperature was nearly close to the highest maximum temperature in Cebu province recorded over 18 years ago that reached 35.6 degrees Celsius.

"Extremes of temperature in Cebu for the month of August within the 40-year period, the highest maximum temperature recorded on August 27, 1998 reached at 35.6 degrees Celsius," said Tabada.

Further, Tabada predicts that the high air temperature may continue to persist in the first few weeks of September in Metro Cebu.

Moreover, based on PAGASA's recent weather outlook, La Niña will develop in September or October after the long El Niño phenomenon. (FREEMAN)