The Philippines is contemplating cloud seeding operations to alleviate the severe drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon, which has left 2.9 million people facing water scarcity.
According to Joey Villarama, spokesperson for Task Force El Niño, 131 cities and municipalities across the nation have declared a state of calamity in response to the devastating effects of El Niño.
“Most of the areas under the state of calamity are experiencing drought conditions,” Villarama stated, highlighting that the affected regions include seven provinces across the archipelago, particularly in the central and southern parts of the Philippines.
Declaring a state of calamity enables local governments to access emergency funds designated for mitigation and rehabilitation efforts, providing much-needed relief to affected communities.
El Niño is a recurring climate pattern that results in the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, leading to extreme weather conditions globally. In the Philippines, it often manifests as prolonged dry spells and droughts, severely impacting agriculture and water supply.
Cloud seeding, a weather modification technique that involves dispersing substances into the air to encourage cloud condensation and precipitation, is being considered as an immediate response to mitigate the drought’s impacts.
Experts believe that timely intervention is crucial to prevent further deterioration of water resources and agricultural productivity.
The agricultural sector, a significant part of the Philippines’ economy, has been hit hard, with farmers reporting crop failures and reduced yields.
“We are closely monitoring the situation as the agricultural shortfall could have ripple effects on the country’s economic stability and food security,” said an industry analyst.
Academics and researchers are emphasizing the importance of long-term strategies to address the effects of climate change and recurring El Niño events.
Meanwhile, residents in affected areas are grappling with water shortages, prompting concerns among diaspora communities and drawing attention to the need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
The Philippine government is expected to make a decision soon on the implementation of cloud seeding operations, balancing immediate relief efforts with sustainable long-term solutions to combat the adverse effects of climate phenomena like El Niño.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
