El Niño causes moisture stress among crops in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY — Dry weather driven by El Niño has led to crop moisture stress in 13 localities in Negros Occidental, Irene Bel Ploteña,  Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head, said on Thursday, October 15.

Ploteña said a report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) disclosed that 1,413.62 hectares of rice crops have so far been affected by moisture stress.

The affected farms are located in the cities of San Carlos, Escalante, Cadiz, Sagay and Kabankalan, and the towns of Toboso, Don Salvador Benedicto,  Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Cauayan and Ilog.

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READ: El Niño affects over 451,000 people in PH – NDRRMC

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Ploteña also said that 91.93 hectares of corn crops in Don Salvador Benedicto have also experienced moisture stress.

According to the state weather bureau, moisture stress occurs when crops do not receive sufficient water, often caused by low or delayed rainfall, which hinders their normal growth.

Ploteña noted that based on the agency’s forecast, overall conditions in Negros Occidental remain relatively manageable due to ongoing rainfall in some of its areas.

However, OPA reports confirm that the 13 localities are already experiencing dry conditions, defined by the weather bureau as receiving below-normal rainfall for two consecutive months.

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But there is a possibility that Negros Occidental could still be hit by a typhoon this year, Ploteña  said.

There are also projections that by the end of November, heat conditions could  increase, she added.

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El Niño is forecasted to be from October this year to the first quarter of next year, with the peak expected in March 2027.