Severe drought in Isabela

These images were taken during a two-day visit to the province of Isabela to inspect the situation of drought in the farmlands and reported fishkill in the fishcages of operators in the Magat dam. Much of the drought has affected rice and corn production which are the most sought-after produce of Isabela province. Isabela, Philippines. 24/02/2010.

Governor Grace Padaca also responded to the appeal of her constituents who wanted to have fuel to use on their water pumps so that it could reach more farm areas.

Drought came to the province of Isabela in the Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon in December 2009. The drought has worsened in its third month this February. The Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, said it was brought on by the phenomenon of El Nino, a weather pattern arising from the warming of the sea surface over the equatorial areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Corn has suffered heavily after a crop production loss of PhP1.8 billion was recently reported on February 24 by the provincial office of agriculture. Land that used to grow rice has turned dry and parched. The Magat Dam which supplies water to rice and corn fields that have survived the drought so far, is now in critical condition at 143 meters. Its normal water level is 165 meters. Farmers are worried about the next few months. Even the mighty Cagayan River is not able to reach all the lands it used to fertilize because water pumps need fuel and fuel is expensive. Government help has been sought but it could be too late. The drought is expected to last until June 2010.

These images were taken during a two-day visit to the province of Isabela to inspect the situation of drought in the farmlands and reported fishkill in the fishcages of operators in the Magat dam. Much of the drought has affected rice and corn production which are the most sought-after produce of Isabela province. Isabela, Philippines. 24/02/2010.

Governor Grace Padaca also responded to the appeal of her constituents who wanted to have fuel to use on their water pumps so that it could reach more farm areas.

Drought came to the province of Isabela in the Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon in December 2009. The drought has worsened in its third month this February. The Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, said it was brought on by the phenomenon of El Nino, a weather pattern arising from the warming of the sea surface over the equatorial areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Corn has suffered heavily after a crop production loss of PhP1.8 billion was recently reported on February 24 by the provincial office of agriculture. Land that used to grow rice has turned dry and parched. The Magat Dam which supplies water to rice and corn fields that have survived the drought so far, is now in critical condition at 143 meters. Its normal water level is 165 meters. Farmers are worried about the next few months. Even the mighty Cagayan River is not able to reach all the lands it used to fertilize because water pumps need fuel and fuel is expensive. Government help has been sought but it could be too late. The drought is expected to last until June 2010.

These images were taken during a two-day visit to the province of Isabela to inspect the situation of drought in the farmlands and reported fishkill in the fishcages of operators in the Magat dam. Much of the drought has affected rice and corn production which are the most sought-after produce of Isabela province. Isabela, Philippines. 24/02/2010.

Governor Grace Padaca also responded to the appeal of her constituents who wanted to have fuel to use on their water pumps so that it could reach more farm areas.

Drought came to the province of Isabela in the Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon in December 2009. The drought has worsened in its third month this February. The Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, said it was brought on by the phenomenon of El Nino, a weather pattern arising from the warming of the sea surface over the equatorial areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Corn has suffered heavily after a crop production loss of PhP1.8 billion was recently reported on February 24 by the provincial office of agriculture. Land that used to grow rice has turned dry and parched. The Magat Dam which supplies water to rice and corn fields that have survived the drought so far, is now in critical condition at 143 meters. Its normal water level is 165 meters. Farmers are worried about the next few months. Even the mighty Cagayan River is not able to reach all the lands it used to fertilize because water pumps need fuel and fuel is expensive. Government help has been sought but it could be too late. The drought is expected to last until June 2010.

These images were taken during a two-day visit to the province of Isabela to inspect the situation of drought in the farmlands and reported fishkill in the fishcages of operators in the Magat dam. Much of the drought has affected rice and corn production which are the most sought-after produce of Isabela province. Isabela, Philippines. 24/02/2010.

Governor Grace Padaca also responded to the appeal of her constituents who wanted to have fuel to use on their water pumps so that it could reach more farm areas.

Drought came to the province of Isabela in the Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon in December 2009. The drought has worsened in its third month this February. The Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, said it was brought on by the phenomenon of El Nino, a weather pattern arising from the warming of the sea surface over the equatorial areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Corn has suffered heavily after a crop production loss of PhP1.8 billion was recently reported on February 24 by the provincial office of agriculture. Land that used to grow rice has turned dry and parched. The Magat Dam which supplies water to rice and corn fields that have survived the drought so far, is now in critical condition at 143 meters. Its normal water level is 165 meters. Farmers are worried about the next few months. Even the mighty Cagayan River is not able to reach all the lands it used to fertilize because water pumps need fuel and fuel is expensive. Government help has been sought but it could be too late. The drought is expected to last until June 2010.