MANILA: The El Nino phenomenon has ended, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced on Friday (June 7).
The Pagasa El Nino Southern Oscillation Alert and Warning System (ENSO) was also lowered to inactive (ENSO-neutral), while the La Nina watch remains in effect.
The El Nino phenomenon, according to Pagasa, is a “large-scale oceanographic/meteorological phenomenon that develops in the Pacific Ocean and is associated with extreme climatic variability” such as devastating rains, winds, and drought.
“DOST [Department of Science and Technology]-Pagasa announces the end of El NiNo, as the conditions in the tropical Pacific have returned to El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral levels. Moreover, a transition from ENSO-neutral to La Nina remains likely (about 69% chance) by July-August-September 2024 season,” Pagasa said in a statement.
It added that despite the ENSO-neutral condition and prevailing “habagat”, or southwest monsoon, the impacts of El Nino, such as “warmer-than-usual surface temperature and below-normal rainfall,” may still prevail in some parts of the country.
“DOST-Pagasa will continue to closely monitor any significant developments in this climate phenomenon,” Pagasa said.
It also encouraged the public and all concerned government agencies to monitor and take precautionary measures against impending climate impacts. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
