El Niño to weaken but there’s no sign of rain

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE El Niño phenomenon is expected to weaken starting this month but the state weather bureau isn’t expecting rain until late May or June.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday said there were no signs that there would be enough rainfall in the coming days as no weather disturbance has been spotted near Philippine territory.

Weather specialist Luz Mercado said this even as the heat index in the city and Misamis Oriental reached 40 degrees Celsius.

The actual temperature rose to 32 degrees around noon but the heat index or how people feel the heat measured 40 degrees.

“Mao na nga init gyud kaayo ang atong mabate kay bisan 32  degrees Celsius ra ang actual temperature, ang actual  heat index  nga mabati sa tawo mokabat man sa 38 ngadto sa 40  degrees,” Mercado said.

She said 32 degrees Celsius is enough to spark grass or forest  fires. “Bisan walay maghaling, basta na-ay daghang laya nga sagbot o mga dahon, dali ra kaayo  mo-spark ang ka-init, ug mo-create  dayon ug kalayo. Ma-o na nga na-ay mahitabo nga grass o forest fires.”

Mercado said Pagasa expects the El Niño to weaken this month but people would continue feeling the scorching heat of the sun because it’s summer.

She said Pagasa also expects the rains in the last week of May or the first week of June.

“Pag-abot sa last week sa May or first week of June, mawala na man ang easterly winds ug mopuli  man ang hanging amihan, so  posibli nga na-a nay mga pag-ulan anang mga panahona,” she said.