05/09/2026
🥵
CRITICAL SOIL MOISTURE DEFICIT PERSISTS NATIONWIDE
Latest soil moisture data shows deep subsoil drought conditions remaining at critical to extreme levels across extensive areas of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
AFFECTED PROVINCES BY DROUGHT SEVERITY
(Categorized based on the highest drought intensity level present within any part of the province)
🔴 EXCEPTIONAL TO EXTREME
▪️ MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Basilan, Bukidnon, Cotabato (North Cotabato), Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
▪️ VISAYAS: Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte
▪️ LUZON: Catanduanes, Isabela, Masbate, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Sorsogon
🟠 MODERATE TO SEVERE
▪️ MINDANAO: Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Sulu
▪️ VISAYAS: Aklan, Siquijor
▪️ LUZON: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Romblon, Marinduque
🟡MINOR TO MILD
▪️ MINDANAO: Tawi-Tawi
▪️ VISAYAS: Guimaras, Biliran
▪️ LUZON: Aurora, Apayao, Batangas, Kalinga, Mountain Province
DROUGHT SEVERITY LEGEND EXPLANATION
▪️ Exceptional to Extreme (Red to Dark Red): Severe to critical subsoil moisture depletion. Crops face severe stress or total wilting, groundwater tables drop significantly, and river flows decrease drastically.
▪️ Moderate to Severe (Orange to Dark Orange): Substantial moisture deficits in root zones, causing noticeable crop stress, reduced agricultural yields, and declining reservoir levels.
▪️ Minor to Mild (Yellow to Light Orange): Early-stage moisture deficiency or dry conditions, serving as a warning sign of potential drought development if dry weather persists.
WHY LOCAL RAIN DOES NOT MEAN DROUGHT IS OVER
▪️ Root-Zone Moisture Deficit: Drought intensity models calculate deep soil moisture levels (0–40 cm and 0–100 cm depths) where agricultural crops and aquifers draw water.
▪️ Surface Wetting vs. Subsoil Saturation: Brief rain showers or localized thunderstorms only moisten the outermost layer of topsoil, which quickly evaporates in sunny weather without penetrating deep into the subsoil.
▪️ Sustained Recovery Required: Overcoming deep hydrological drought requires consecutive weeks of consistent, soaking rainfall to fully recharge underground aquifers and restore root-zone water reserves.
SOURCE: Windy.com / CzechGlobe (Drought Intensity Model)
