THREE’S a company, so goes a popular saying. So is disaster. In the Philippines, disaster comes together in three: typhoon, rain and flood.
Typhoon Mario brought lots of rain and flooded Metro Manila. And it was just the beginning. The last quarter of the years is usually the typhoon months in the Philippines. Mario is just the 13th typhoon to hit the country this year.
“Each year, about 20 tropical cyclones enter our country,” says Rene Paciente, chief of the weather forecasting and warming system of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Fortunately, only six to nine of these tropical cyclones make landfall.
A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180° and 100°E. The Philippines is located in this region which, according to the US National Hurricane Center, is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, shares this information: “The majority of storms form between June and November while tropical cyclone formation is, at a minimum, between December and May. On average, the northwestern Pacific features the most numerous and intense tropical cyclones globally. The Philippines receive a brunt of the landfalls, with China and Japan being impacted slightly less.”
In the past, Central Luzon and Mindanao were typhoon-free but now tropical cyclones no longer spare them. The country’s cyclone paths cover Mindoro, Marinduque, Bicol, Panay Island, Samar and Leyte. Typhoons used to be moderate in Northern Luzon and Batanes, but not anymore as typhoons after typhoons now frequent these areas.
The Bicol region and Central Luzon, particularly Pampanga and Zambales, are in greatest danger because they are located right in the so-called typhoon corridor in the Philippines. Super typhoons blowing one after another could, experts claim, flatten whole towns in Bicol and volcanic avalanches from Mount Pinatubo could bury entire towns in Pampanga and Zambales.
It’s not only typhoon that causes flood, which is defined as “an overflow of water that submerges land, which is normally dry.” Rosalie C. Pagulayan, weather specialist II of Pagasa, explained: “Floods are due to the complex combination of weather, climatic and human activities. Most floods occur as a result of moderate to large-scale rainfall events.”
A really big flood can cause billions of pesos in damage to agriculture, infrastructure, loss of productivity in industry and commerce, not to mention loss of human lives. Congested urban centers like Metro Manila could stand still for days.
“With too much rain and floods, agriculture production especially in flood-prone areas will be adversely affected with physical and economic losses,” pointed out Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero, a national scientist and former head of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. “Floods will wash away crops, hasten soil erosion and increase crop spoilage due to poor storage and distribution problems.”
The Department of Health said floods will accelerate food-borne and water-borne diseases. “Flooding can contaminate the public water through the disruption of water-purification and sewage-disposal systems, rupture of underground pipelines and storage tanks,” the health department said.
Using contaminated water can cause a wide spectrum of illnesses, among them: acute gastroenteritis, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A. “Foods that may have been in contact with contaminated floodwater should not be eaten,” the health department advised.
In addition, there is an increase of leptospirosis cases after heavy rains or flooding incidents. This livestock disease transmissible to many may be acquired through wading in water contaminated with urine of infected animal.
Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria also rise with the increase in mosquito breeding grounds. Cold weather also comes with airborne diseases like influenza, which spread fast in congested areas such as Metro Manila’s inner cities.
Because of these projected economic and health problems, the Pagasa said that flood damage mitigation and protection should be a concern not only during the disaster but should be practiced before, during and after the occurrence of aflood. As such, it issues the following flood-safety rules:
Before the flood, a person must find out how often his location is likely to be flooded. He should know the flood-warning system (issued by the Pagasa) in the community and inform the family about it. The head of the family must know the daily weather condition. He must designate an evacuation area for his family and the livestock. In addition, he must assign family members instruction and responsibilities according to an evacuation plan.
In addition, people are advised to keep a stock of food, which requires little cooking and refrigeration before the flood. The following must be kept: transistorized radio and flash light with spare batteries, emergency cooking equipment, candles, matches, first-aid kit and water.
When warned of flood, everyone must watch for rapidly rising floodwaters. The family should listen to the radio for emergency instructions. If the head of the family finds it necessary to evacuate, then he must move them to a safe area before access is cut off by floodwaters. However, it is wise to turn off electricity at the main switch in the building before evacuating. “Also lock your house before leaving,” the Pagasa suggested.
During the flood, the Pagasa advised to avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. It cautions: do not attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee; beware of water-covered roads and bridges; eat only well-cooked foods; and drink only bottled, boiled or treated water.
After the flood, the weather bureau recommended that you reenter the house with caution using flashlight. “Be alert for fire hazards like broken wires,” it warned. “Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for floodwater contamination.”
The Pagasa also suggested that broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas and telephone) be reported to appropriate agencies/authorities. “Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and other equipment until they have been checked by a competent electrician,” it said.
As floods are common throughout the country, the weather bureau has launched the Flood Early Warning System capacities. It has five basic elements: prediction, detection, communication, decision-making and mobilization.
“In any disaster of given magnitude, the first line of defense is still awareness of the communities at risk,” reminded Pagulayan.
It’s rainy season once more. As another saying goes, forearmed is forewarned. Listen to the woes of one flood victim: “The downpour of rain is unprecedented. The rain came without much warning. When we woke up in the morning, there was intermittent heavy rain and I thought that it is seasonal—indeed the rainfall throughout this year has been quite heavy, unlike during the last three years. The rainwater reached 2 feet on the main streets. I couldn’t drive, there was water everywhere.”
Now, for our weather forecast!
Image credits: Henrylito D. Tacio