Article by:
Catherine Teves
MANILA – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has advised the public to regularly monitor its weather bulletin and prepare for the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Rai which is expected to hit the country on Tuesday night.
PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Research and Development and weather expert Dr. Esperanza Cayanan said they should pay attention to the agency's forecasts instead of merely anticipating weather based on what is prevailing in their respective areas.
Cayanan said such forecasts provide science-based information about possible weather in the coming days so the public can prepare for it properly.
"Let's not look at the situation at present but at what forecasters are saying," she said Tuesday during the virtual press conference for “Rai” which will be given the local name “Odette” once inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
She recalled some people in Mindanao years earlier were confused about PAGASA's forecasts regarding two tropical cyclones (TCs) that threatened their area.
Cayanan said they found the forecasts “hard to believe”, saying the weather was fair then.
The TCs she referred to were “Sendong” (international name 'Washi') in 2011 and “Pablo” (international name “Bopha”) in 2012 which considerably affected various Mindanao areas.
Cayanan said PAGASA's forecasts aim to inform people about weather that may prevail in their areas so they can make appropriate preparations.
Preparing for an onslaught of weather disturbances is among ways of protecting life, limb and property, she said.
According to PAGASA, “Rai” may enter PAR on Tuesday then likely intensify into a typhoon locally named “Odette.”
“Odette” may landfall on Thursday possibly in the central Philippines Eastern Visayas-Caraga area.
It is possible for “Odette” to cross central Philippines as a typhoon with rain that can trigger flooding and landslides, PAGASA added. (PNA)
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