Metro Manila mayors will present measures on conserving water to mitigate the possible effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said yesterday.

The recommendations will be handed to the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council within the month or early June, the MMDA added.

“Perhaps in a week or two because they have to work on their tasks and reports,” MMDA chief Romando Artes told reporters.

Metro Manila Council president and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora earlier said they are planning to regulate the use of water in some establishments amid the looming threats of El Niño.

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below-normal rainfall.

El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, the weather bureau PAGASA said.

An El Niño alert was issued by PAGASA after forecasts showed that the phenomenon may emerge in the next three months at an 80 percent probability and may last until the first quarter of next year.

Among the measures being mulled are imposing water rationing and limiting the operation of car wash facilities.