PAGASA warns of hotter days until April ends

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

Wednesday 25th of April 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 25 (PIA) -- The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Senior Meteorological Officer Eddie Dela Cruz bared that the temperature will remain high until the end of April.

Dela Cruz said in a telephone interview today that he expects that rain showers will pour in May.

Yesterday afternoon though, light rain showers poured in the city but it stopped as a high pressure area prevented more downpour, added the weather officer.

The highest temperature that PAGASA Catbalogan recorded was last week when it reached 36 degrees celsius.

“Even during the early mornings when it is supposed to be cooler, it is still warm these days,” he said.

When asked if it is good, he said it is good for upland farmers as they can now plant upland rice, and it is not so good though for non-irrigated areas as the farmers then just have to wait for rains to plant rice.

It is also not too good for urban settlers as the hot days require double time for air-conditioning units and electric fans.

“High consumption of electricity peaks during summer months,” De la Cruz said.

Meanwhile, the sunny weather is favorable to farmers in Calbayog City, 87 kilometers away from the capital city of Catbalogan.
Farmers are busy drying their palay, according to Adela Ocenar, city agriculturist in a text message to PIA-Samar.

Ocenar bared that a remaining 25 percent of palay is still being harvested by farmers in Calbayog City.

“The dry days do not pose a problem to the farmers yet,” said Ocenar.

Planting rice will still be in May to June for Calbayog farmers. (ldl/NBQ-PIA 8, Samar)