The El Niño Phenomenon

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The El Niño Phenomenon

The pattern caused by the warming of the Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by climatic aberrations around the world-warming in South America, torrential rains in North America, and drought in Southeast Asia and Australia. This phenomenon occurs every two to seven years.

Climatic Indicators of El Niño in the Philippines

• delayed onset of the rainy season
• early termination of the rainy season
• weak monsoon activity
  • isolated heavy downpours with short duration
• weak tropical cyclone activity
  • far tropical cyclone track
  • less no. of tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility
  • less intense tropical cyclones

Severe droughts in the Philippines 1982-1983

• drought damage to rice and corn cost more than P700 million
• 450,000 hectares of land were affected
• among the severely hit provinces were Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Northern Visayas and Western Mindanao

1992-1993

• drought damage set back the agricultural sector by P4.1 billion
• 478,000 metric tons of corn were destroyed
• among the worst hit were South Cotabato, Isabela, Bukidnon, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Cagayan

1997-1998

• dry spell between June1997-1998; effects continued to be felt through September 1998
• El Niño struck as the country was enjoying a continuous four-year growth
• damage to agriculture amounted to P8.46 billion
• 16 regions were affected

Effects of El Niño in the Philippines

• drought
• environmental effects
  • degradation of soil which could lead to desert-like conditions if persistent
  • effect on water quality like salt water intrusion
  • high forest/grass/bush fire risk
  • domestic water supply shortages
• social effects
  • disruption of normal human activities
  • migration to urban communities
  • health problems
• economic effects
  • unemployment
  • food shortages
  • significant reduction in the productivity and subsequent revenue of various industries

El Niño-related effects on a person's health	Precautions
diseases related to water scarcity or shortage such as diarrhea and skin diseases	conserve water; protect water sources from contamination
risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning (seafood may be contaminated by red tide blooms)	watch out for shellfish ban updates
disorders associated with high temperatures: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, exertional heat injury and heat stroke	drink more fluids, wear light clothing, avoid strenuous physical activity