Philippines: El Nino drought may affect public health, safety

Bangkok, Jul 4 (EFE).- The Philippine Meteorological Service said Tuesday the drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon could affect the “public health and safety” of the country, among other consequences in critical sectors.

“El Niño increases the probability of rainfall conditions below normal, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry periods and droughts) in some areas of the country that can negatively affect different climate-sensitive sectors, such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health and public safety,”the service’s report read.

The service, which updated Monday a warning issued in May, said El Nino shows “signs of strengthening” for coming months and that they expect to suffer the impact of the climate phenomenon in the last quarter of the year and the first months of 2024.

“With this development, all the agencies involved and the general public are recommended to take precautionary measures to mitigate the possible impacts,” it said.

The Philippines registers its rainy season between June and November, when the country is hit by strong typhoons.

For this season, the service estimates the arrival of between 10 and 14 typhoons that will pass through Philippine territory or waters, in addition to the three that have already passed through the country, the Rappler news site reported.

About 20 tropical storms hit the Philippines yearly, and it is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change. EFE

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