More rains in September helping replenish water sources

CEBU, Philippines - The amount of rain that fell in Cebu Province exceeded the amount expected in September, said the Mactan station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. said the "above normal" assessment means the amount of rainfall exceeded the normal average calculated within 30 days.

Quiblat said the actual amount of rain last month measured 240.3 millimeters, which was 35 percent higher than the normal average rainfall set for September, which is 178.2 millimeters.

Quiblat said the province will likely experience near to above normal rainfall conditions in the last quarter of the year based on rainfall forecast.

GOOD NEWS

This is good news for the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) after the province experienced an 80 percent rainfall deficit in August.

MCWD public affairs head Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara said water supply has increased slowly in September.

One of MCWD's surface water sources, the watershed in Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City, has recovered fully and even exceeded the daily water production. Kara said it can now produce 38,000 cubic meters per day compared to its average water production of 33,000 cubic meters per day.

Despite this, Kara said consumers should not be complacent and continue to conserve water so that enough water can be stored for next year's dry season.

She said MCWD's other surface water source, the Buhisan watershed in Cebu City, has also normalized but its daily water production has not yet reached the average of 7,000 cubic meters per day since the reservoir only underwent desilting. Its water production is still at 4,000 to 5,000 cubic meters per day.

"They have to wash out the silt from the dam to increase its capacity in holding water," Kara said.

Also, she said not all groundwater sources have recovered like the wells in Barangays Banawa, Lahug, and Camputhaw, all in Cebu City. She said it is difficult for these water sources to recharge immediately because they are surrounded by several concrete structures, which disrupts the water's penetration to the ground.

Kara hopes normal rainfall will continue in subsequent months so that enough water will be distributed to its franchise areas and more water will be impounded to for the dry season in 2017.

Caution

While above normal rainfall conditions have their benefits, Quiblat still cautioned that excessive rainfall may bring adverse effects to terrestrial sites especially in sloped areas, low-lying places, and other vulnerable locations.

He reminded the public and disaster control units to look after the possibility of landslide in hilly or mountainous areas, as rainwater may cause the soil to loosen and flooding in low-lying districts or areas that are near river channels.

Quiblat said local government units should also equip their capabilities on disaster rescue and response and plan for mitigating measures especially to agricultural lands to secure food production.

Forecast

Up to three tropical cyclones are expected to enter and develop in the Philippine Area of Responsibility this month, Quiblat said.

He said PAGASA is not discounting the possibility of a weak La Niña to follow the 2015-2016 El Niño episodes.

La Niña conditions favor tropical cyclone formation over the Pacific and tend to increase the number of tropical cyclones to develop. La Niña is commonly associated with extreme climatic variability such as intense rainfall and strong winds.

To note, La Niña Watch is still in effect though chances of it to develop before the year ends has decreased.

As of September 15, PAGASA projected around 50 to 55 percent of probability for La Niña to develop on the last quarter of the year.

Quiblat said PAGASA will continue to monitor climatic situation closely. The public is also advised to monitor weather updates regularly. (FREEMAN)