Cebu City Mayor Rama has declared a state of water crisis in the city after the city council declared 28 mountain barangays under a state of calamity due to the ill effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

"[This] is an emergency. I will now declare crisis on water,” said Rama.

Water supply in Metro Cebu starts to dwindle due to El Niño

Photos from Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman on disaster risk reduction and management, revealed most of the water sources of farmers in these villages have already dried up. “Nahubsan gyod ang tubod (The spring dried up),” said Garganera.

Cracks on the ground are already visible while crops have died due to the intense heat.

Residents in these areas are also lining up for water rations from water trucks provided by the city.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries also showed farm animals being dehydrated.

The Cebu mayor said he will convene a team to look into untapped water resources in the areas of Barangays Boot, Tagbao and others. Part of the team’s response is to create piping, impounding and the erection of a dam.

“It’s all about logic, all about practical approaches,” added Rama.

Aside from the members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, they will also meet with key officials of the Metro Cebu Water District and other experts in water sourcing from the academe.

Cebu’s heat index reached 38 degrees Celsius Monday and is expected to increase to 39 degrees on Tuesday, according to the latest PAGASA Visayas weather forecast.

Residents are advised to stay indoors, hydrate and limit physical activities to prevent heat stroke and other illnesses.