The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the onset of the rainy season that ends the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

PAGASA Bukidnon Chief Meteorological Officer Anianita Fortich said the data indicated a moderate El Niño event from June 2009 on, which strengthened in early 2010. However, it weakened this month as it rained every day this week in Bukidnon. “This signals the chance of the occurrence of La Niña,” she added.

“Weather forecast shows that wet season starts June 6, which would last in September this year,” Fortich stressed.

With the increasing probability of the occurrence of La Niña beginning on the 3rd quarter of this year, PAGASA advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take precautionary measures against possible flash floods and landslides during periods of heavy rains.

La Niña brings mostly the opposite effects of El Niño. While El Niño is a warming of the surface water of the Pacific Ocean that causes drought, the La Niña causes heavy rains in the country that may also bring strong winds and storms. (PIA Bukidnon press release)

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