Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Zeaphard Caelian yesterday cautioned local residents to be vigilant as the country is expected to experience a “weak” La Niña until March.

La Niña is caused by cooling ocean waters, which results in increased rainfall due to a higher frequencies of low pressure areas. For Southeast Asia, a typical La Niña pattern often brings a greater number of monsoons.

According to Caelian, the system made the recent rains predictable.

He pointed out, the Negros Occidental third congressional district, which is comprised of Silay City, Talisay City, Victorias City, EB Magalona, and Murcia, has been under observation over the years and heavy rains this time of the year are typical.

“If we look at the historical background of the district, most of the flash floods they experience are in January,” Caelian said, which he attributed to the northeast monsoon.

He added, even if there are no tropical storms or typhoons, there is still a likelihood of heavy flooding and landslides with a “weak” La Niña./DGB, WDJ