Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Acting Administrator Daniel I. Landingin recently tapped the agency's Task Force on Watershed Management to help monitor what adverse effects the current El Nino may have on the operations of water districts in affected provinces.

The Task Force, headed by Engr. Jose Rene Roncesvalles who also heads the watershed management task force, will recommend to the LWUA Board and Management and to higher authorities, what measures may be undertaken at the local and regional levels to enable the WDs to soften the impact of El Nino specifically on the continued provision of water supply services.

The PAGASA recently confirmed that the mild El Nino it spotted earlier has intensified into a moderate-type El Nino and can even develop into a full-blown one whose impact on the country's climate and weather pattern may be likely felt up to June this year.

Earlier, PAGASA reported that many provinces already registered below normal to way below normal rainfall last year. With an intensified El Nino, the below normal rainfall situation may likely worsen.

LWUA has already issued a memorandum circular advising and enjoining all water districts particularly in Northern and Central Luzon, parts of Southern Luzon, Bicol Region, Western and Central Visayas and Mindanao to adopt and undertake measures to mitigate the potential adverse effects of the weather phenomenon.

February 02 , 2010