THE dry, hot season could deplete the water supply in Cebu, according to a state meteorologist who also predicted a high likelihood of the El Niño phenomenon.
"The effect of this dry hot season plus the possibility of El Niño, of course [result to] scarcity of water," said Engr. Alfredo F. Quiblat Jr., chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas Regional Services Division.
Quiblat advised the public during the Openline Forum on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, to use water as efficiently as possible for personal and domestic consumption, including for drinking, food preparation, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, flushing toilet bowls, watering plants and maintaining pools.
Currently in Luzon, he said, there are reported signs of decreasing water levels in dams, which is also possible to happen in Cebu.
"Daan na ra ba ta nagkuwang sa tubig (We have been lacking water). The dry season would mean a below normal rainfall," he said.
Quiblat said the 55 percent probability rate of El Niño could increase beyond that level.
"There is a possibility of El Niño for this year sometime in July, there is already an indication based on the analysis," Quiblat said, adding that they are closely monitoring the occurrence of the phenomenon.
It is more likely that there will be periods of below-average rainfall during the El Niño, which might cause dry spells and droughts in various parts of the country.
The hot, dry season may also result to agricultural losses.
The highest heat index, so far, was recorded at 39° C on Saturday, March 25, according to the state weather bureau in Mactan, Cebu.
Pagasa warned the public to avoid staying under the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and to use sunblock and other protective gears against unprotected sun exposure to avoid possible health risks. (KJF)