By JEN BAYLON

The Bacolod City government will conduct declogging operations on drainage systems and rehabilitation of flood control structures in preparation for the La Niña phenomenon.

Officials from the state weather bureau Pagasa, in a meeting with city government officials on Friday, May 3, said La Niña is expected to develop between June and August this year.

They said the prevailing El Niño continues to weaken, but is still causing hotter and drier weather conditions in the country.

Bacolod City may still experience extreme temperatures ranging from 28.6 to 38.8 degrees Celsius, particularly in June.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Department of Social Services and Development, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the City Engineer’s Office identified measures in preparation for La Niña, such as clearing, dredging and widening of waterways; clean-up drives; site assessment of flood-prone areas; and rehabilitating flood mitigation structures.

Pagasa said a 120 percent chance of increased rainfall is expected in October.

The weather bureau said at least 13 tropical cyclones are expected to hit the country this year./JB, WDJ