ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued a La Niña watch, as the country’s dry spell winds to a close.
The latest Pagasa advisory stated that El Niño as weakening and “in its decaying stage,” and the development of La Niña within the second half of 2016.
“With this current development, La Niña Watch is now in effect,” the Pagasa advisory stated.
Maribel Enriquez, chief metereological officer of the Pagasa-Zamboanga station, said the incoming La Niña spell bodes for stronger rains and more floods in this city, where heavy rainfalls are expected to come in July.
Enriquez said the western part of the country, including this city, will be affected by La Niña because of the southwest monsoon that is set to be experienced from June to October this year.
“Kapag southwest monsoon season, ine-enhance ng mga bagyo na papasok ang southwest monsoon, kaya magkakaroon ng flooding sa Zamboanga City,” Enriquez said.
She said heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to occur during peak rainy season from August to October. At least seven to 12 typhoons are also expected to develop and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) from May to October 2016.
Enriquez also reported that this city is no longer under a dry spell or drought status as of June this year.
Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the City Engineer’s Office to undertake declogging of drainage and dredging of rivers aimed to prevent flooding and other disasters in the light of the forecasted La Niña.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has identified eight of this city’s 98 barangays as prone to landslides, while 55 barangays as flood-prone areas.