Residents of Baguio City, Philippines, are facing a severe water shortage warning due to the expected 'Super El Niño'. The phenomenon, characterized by intense heat and drought, is expected to bring dry spells to the region in the last months of 2026. The Baguio Water District (BWD) has advised residents to store as much water as possible ahead of the dry season, citing a 90% chance of a 'Super El Niño'. According to the International Research Institute (IRI), a 'Super El Niño' is an extreme El Niño event characterized by extreme heat and drought. The IRI has predicted that the 'Super El Niño' could start in the last months of 2026 and continue through 2027, causing severe water shortages in several regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The Baguio Water District (BWD) has been working on increasing its water production capacity to meet the demand of residents. They've invested over ₱100 million (approximately USD 1.8 million) in a new water treatment facility, which is expected to increase the city's water supply by 25%. The facility, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, will use advanced technology to purify water from the Baguio River, which has been affected by pollution and sedimentation. Despite these efforts, the city's water supply remains uncertain due to concerns about the 'Super El Niño' event.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned of a 'Super El Niño' event, which could bring severe heat and drought to the country. They've predicted that the event could start in the last months of 2026 and continue through 2027, affecting several regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). PAGASA has also forecasted severe water shortages, heatwaves, and droughts in several areas, affecting agriculture, industry, and communities. The government has established a task force to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected areas.

The 'Super El Niño' event is expected to cause severe economic impacts on the region, affecting agriculture, industry, and communities. It could lead to crop failures, reduced agricultural production, and increased food prices, affecting the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities. The government has estimated that the economic impact of the 'Super El Niño' event could reach ₱100 billion (approximately USD 1.8 billion) in the first year alone.

  • The Baguio City water supply is expected to decrease by 25% due to the 'Super El Niño' event.
  • The city's water district has invested over ₱100 million (approximately USD 1.8 million) in a new water treatment facility, which is expected to increase the city's water supply by 25%.
  • The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has predicted a 90% chance of a 'Super El Niño' event.
  • The 'Super El Niño' event is expected to cause severe economic impacts on the region, affecting agriculture, industry, and communities.