THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) yesterday said it has conducted cloud seeding operations to help mitigate the effects of El Niño, a phenomenon that increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions that may lead to dry spells and droughts.
PAF spokeswoman Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said the El Niño-related cloud seeding operations were recently launched in the province of Isabela.
“We have continuous efforts in collaboration with DA (Department of Agriculture) and LGU (local government unit) of Isabela,” said Castillo.
“Recently, a cloud seeding operation was conducted using a chartered plane with Air Force weather officers and technicians facilitating the operations,” she also said, adding that the operation was successful and produced rain in the area.
In a situational report yesterday, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the cost of damage to agriculture due to El Niño was already at P810.71 million.
More than half of the agriculture damage was recorded in Western Visayas with P487.48 million, followed by Mimaropa (P319.75 million), Calabarzon (P2.75 million), and Zamboanga Peninsula (P.71 million).
The NDRRMC said El Niño has affected 12,493.79 hectares of crops.
Meanwhile, Castillo told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo that the Air Force may also conduct cloud seeding operations in Benguet to suppress forest fires that have been ongoing over the past days.
Air Force helicopters have been helping in putting out the fire through heli-bucket operations by conducting 15 sorties a day, said Castillo
“We also have plans for cloud seeding operations. It might happen this week…Hopefully, the cloud seeding will be able to help address the fire in Benguet… Using PAF aircraft (LC 210), we intend to produce clouds that can potentially bring in rain in Benguet and help prevent the spread of the forest fires,” she said.