said Surigao City, located  at the eastern side of the country, is experiencing a dry season because it falls under  Type 4 Weather Cycle Disturbance.

He  told MindaNews that the Parang-parang watershed in Barangay Mat-i, the city’s main source of potable water, is currently producing only 24,000 cubic meters per day from the usual 30,000 cubic meters per day or more than 30 percent reduction of the water yield.

Ensomo said the city’s more than 18,000 households require a production capacity of at least 180 liters per second.

He said had they not been able to tap other sources last year, the water crisis that hit the city beginning May 2 would have been worse than in 2010.

In a span of two years, the number of consumers has risen from 16,000 to 18,000.

The water district, however, covers only 22 barangays in Surigao City. The other 21 barangays are not served because there are located in different islands.

Ensomo said residents of the island barangays are also feeling the scarcity of water supply.

He warned consumers that this extreme weather condition will last until September.

This month, consumers experienced insufficient water supply especially peak hours, he said. .

Worst hit are barangays located on higher elevation like Capitol Road, Ceniza Heights, Silay Hill, Pag-asa Hill in Barangay Washington, Espina Extension in Barangay Taft; Habitat, Canlanipa Homes in Barangay Canlanipa, Payawan in Barangay Luna.

“We don’t have water from 9 o’clock in the morning until 1 in the afternoon,” said an irate resident, Andres Dacuron of Payawan 2, Barangay Luna.[]