Philippines braces for longer drought due to lingering El Nino

Many parts of the Philippines may continue to experience below normal rainfall at least until August due to the lingering effects of El Nino, local media reported on Monday.

The phenomenon that triggered drought in many parts of the country is likely to end in July, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Since El Nino started in March last year in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture has estimated that the damage to the economy has reached 3.6 billion pesos (about 87 million U.S. dollars), with Mindanao in the south being the hardest hit.

The PAGASA warned that although El Nino was on the decline, its effect would still be felt in the next few months.