Weather bureau Pagasa said that the country is experiencing a weak La Nina, which could possibly induce severe flooding caused by torrential rains in the country towards the end of the year.
“The weak La Nina over the equatorial Pacific will further develop and possibly strengthen...it may adversely affect the domestic water supply, and agriculture and health sector,” Pagasa acting director Martin Rellin said in their advisory.
La Niña is the periodic cooling of surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean near the equator and is associated with increased rainfall, causing powerful storms and flooding.
Weather changes such as cooling or warming of the ocean waters on such a large scale affects the temperature of the air above it. This change in air temperature then leads to a change in the typical weather patterns.
This episode is expected to strengthen and persist until early next year.
Normal to above normal conditions are expected over the Visayas especially Cebu, some parts of Luzon and Mindanao towards end of September.
Luzon, including Metro Manila, and the Visayas will be wetter from October to December.
Northern parts of Luzon, meanwhile, are expected to experience scarce rainfall in November. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP