Midday rains relieve folks

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- At least for more than an hour, folks in this city were relieved of the blistering summer heat compounded by the El Niño phenomenon after rains watered down parched lands and streets.

The moderate rain was the first this month after weeks of almost 40-degree-centigrade days that saw many areas, especially farm lands, drying up and threatening ready for harvest crops.

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“It could be God’s intervention and blessing. Let’s pray it rains more. The heat is too much,” said a businessman.

“Ang sarap pong maligo sa ulan. Sabi po ng nanay ko, pampagaling daw po ito ng bungang-araw,” said drenched kids who were playing in the sudden downpour near Sun.Star Pampanga’s office.

Though the not-so-brief downpour was unexpected, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said more rain showers are expected until next week.

In its forecast, Pagasa said Northern and Central Luzon will continue to experience cloudy skies with scattered light rains and temperatures ranging from 25 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius.