PRECIOUS WATER. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration - Baguio bares Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) that it does not see the summer capital and adjacent Benguet province feeling a dry spell in October. It noted sufficient water stored in deep wells due to the prevailing rains, as shown in this undated photo of the Baguio Water District. (Photo courtesy of BWD Facebook)
BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) here does not see the summer capital and neighboring Benguet province experiencing a dry spell in October with a lot of water stored due to the recent rains.
“We will start to feel the dry spell effect of the El Niño in November and will be felt until the first quarter of next year,” Larry Esperanza, PAGASA-Baguio senior weather specialist, said in an interview.
Earlier, PAGASA projected the effect of the drought-associated El Niño phenomenon to start by October, which is less than two weeks away.
Esperanza said the delayed effect on Baguio City and Benguet is due to the monsoon and tropical cyclones, and the fact that October is still a rainy season.
“We still expect some tropical cyclones happening this October, that is why we do not expect to feel so much of the effect of the El Niño. We will still have rain,” he added.
Esperanza also noted that rains are stronger in higher elevations and mountainous areas such as this city.
Meanwhile, he said aquifers have been rejuvenated brought about by recent typhoons and monsoon rains.
In the last 18 days, strong to intermittent heavy rains were experienced in the afternoon and evening until dawn the next day.
The Baguio Water District recently reported that it has several new deep wells with ample supplies. (PNA)
