Photo shows a drought-hit farm in Imus, Cavite, taken on March 2, 2024. (INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines鈥� The El Ni帽o phenomenon has ended, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced on Friday.
The Pagasa El Ni帽o Southern Oscillation Alert and Warning System (ENSO) was also lowered to inactive (ENSO-neutral), while the La Ni帽a watch remains in effect.
The El Ni帽o phenomenon, according to Pagasa, is a 鈥渓arge-scale oceanographic/meteorological phenomenon that develops in the Pacific Ocean and is associated with extreme climatic variability鈥� such as devastating rains, winds, and drought.
鈥淒OST [Department of Science and Technology]-Pagasa聽announces the end of El Ni帽o, as the conditions in the tropical Pacific have returned to El Ni帽o Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral levels. Moreover, a transition from ENSO-neutral to La Ni帽a remains likely (about 69% chance) by July-August-September 2024 season,鈥� Pagasa said in a statement.
It added that despite the ENSO-neutral condition and prevailing 鈥渉abagat鈥�, or southwest monsoon, the impacts of El Ni帽o, such as 鈥渨armer-than-usual surface temperature and below-normal rainfall,鈥澛� may still prevail in some parts of the country.
鈥淒OST-Pagasa聽will continue to closely monitor any significant developments in this climate phenomenon,鈥� Pagasa said.
It also encouraged the public and all concerned government agencies to monitor and take precautionary measures against impending climate impacts.