Pagasa: Brace for storms, typhoons after El Nino
State weather bureau has alerted the public to prepare for the onslaught of strong storms and typhoons as El Nino nears its end.
“There are instances when El Nino is followed by La Nina. Forecast models say there is a possibility right now, but it’s very low: below 50 percent,” Nathaniel Cruz, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) chief said.
Cruz said forecasters are monitoring the formation of the weather anomaly in the Pacific Ocean, characterized by downpour of above average, or too much rainfall, but probability remains low at the moment.
In 1997-1998 El Nino he said the country experienced the worst El Nino, plagued by dry spell and severe agricultural losses. After the phenomenon ended, La Nina followed suit.
Several international meteorological organizations have expressed that the worst of El Nino is nearing its end, now entering a decaying stage, but it’s effects can still be felt until June.
Cruz also clarified that the rains experienced in the afternoons do not signal the end of summer or dry season, but are mere thunderstorms brought by localized convective activity in some areas in the country.
He however said scenario similar to last year’s tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng is not a remote possibility this year.
He said this is because the country lies directly along the so-called typhoon belt, an area near the equator where weather disturbances form, and it’s location in northwest Pacific which is the ‘cauldron’ of typhoons.
In 2004, Quezon was devastated by strong cyclones and 2007, no less than Metro Manila was hit by typhoon Milenyo causing great structural damage and loss of lives.
Cruz said the Pagasa is investing on a long-term modernization where it plans to install 10 Doppler radars in strategic places in the country. (PNA)