PAGASA warns of possible floods,

landslides due to ‘weak La Niña’

TAGBILARAN CITY, January 10 (PIA)--The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Bohol warned the public against possible floods and landslides due to rains brought by a “weak La Niña” in the country.

PAGASA Bohol officer-in-charge, Leonard Samar said continuous rains hit parts of Bohol and other provinces in the Visayas during the past days after the development of a weak La Niña which is projected to last until March.

Based on PAGASA forecast, Samar said that “above normal rainfall” is to be expected in the following weeks or possibly the entire first quarter of 2018.

However, he clarified that there are currently no weather systems affecting the province and the rest of the Visayas despite the persistent rains.

PAGASA predicted that the La Niña would start affecting the country in December last year.

However, majority of the rains in Bohol during the previous month were brought by three weather disturbances that hit the country late in December and the first days of 2018.

La Niña is a weather phenomena characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the Equatorial Pacific which causes increased numbers of tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean that usually brings heavy rains that trigger floods and landslides. 

Though this would be a 'weak' La Niña, PAGASA says there is no room for complacency. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)