300-year-old ancient submerged village rises from depths during severe Philippine drought
Centuries-old town of Pantabangan
A village settlement that dates back nearly 300 years, which was submerged by a dam in the 1970s, has resurfaced in the northern Philippines as a result of an extended period of drought.
Sections of the village, such as a church and tombstones, became visible as the waters of the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija province receded.
The water levels of the dam have decreased by almost 50 metresbelow their usual level, marking the sixth occasion on which the village has reappeared since the dam was built.
"This is the longest time (it was visible) based on my experience," Paladin told news agency AFP.
Half of the provinces in the Philippines, including Nueva Ecija, are officially facing drought conditions.
The ongoing heatwave is putting pressure on power supplies in Luzon, the country's primary island, which contributes three-quarters of the nation's economic output. According to the Philippines' grid operator, 13 power plants have gone offline, reducing reserves.
In response to a forecast of record-high heat indices, the Philippines' Ministry of Education has instructed public schools to transition to online learning.
Rising temperatures in Indonesia have led to a significant increase in dengue fever cases. Last month, reported cases jumped to 35,000, a sharp rise from 15,000 the previous year.
Why is the Philippines facing a severe drought?
In the Philippines, March, April, and May are usually the hottest and driest months, but this year, the El Niño weather has made things even worse.
El Niño, which happens when the Pacific Ocean's central and eastern parts get warmer than usual, has caused less rain than normal in the country.
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(With inputs from agencies)