PAGASA: It’s not rainy season yet

CEBU, Philippines — No, the rainy season hasn’t started yet.

The rains experienced in Cebu and other parts of the country recently are but indications of the transition from dry season to wet season, said PAGASA Visayas chief Alfredo Quiblat, Jr.

Quiblat said there are parameters that determine the shift to a new season, in this case, from dry to wet season.

One of these parameters is the amount of rainfall in a five-day period from selected weather stations. Quiblat said PAGASA stations in the western part of the country must receive an accumulated rainfall amount of 25 millimeters or more (with at least one millimeter per day) for five consecutive days.

The other parameter is the occurrence of the dominant westerly wind blowing over the country.

Quiblat said the onset of the rainy season goes with the development of the Southwest monsoon, a weather system locally known as "Habagat" that usually brings rains to the country.

The start of the rainy season occurs typically between the second half of May and the first half of June, but earlier advisories a delay this year because of the presence of the weak El Niño.

Cebu residents have been anticipating rain as the province faces dry spell, plagued by the crippling effects of the prevailing weak El Niño.

In Cebu, damage and loss in agricultural products, fish production, and livestock has reached P110.9 million. Households and farmers are suffering from water scarcity while farmers and fishermen are suffering from the intense heat.

Based on the April outlook, the weak El Niño is seen to persist until August. The next monthly outlook is scheduled on May 22.

An El Niño is a natural event characterized by the unusual warming in the tropical Pacific that causes adverse effects to the country such as scarce rains and warm temperatures. (FREEMAN)