THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrative (PAGASA) yesterday declared the onset of the rainy season.
In a statement, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando cited typhoon “Aghon” as among parameters that led to the declaration.
The declaration came on the same day Aghon exited the Philippine area of responsibility.
“The occurrence of scattered rain showers, frequent thunderstorms, the passage of typhoon Aghon, and the southwest monsoon over the past few days have brought significant rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas signifies the start of the rainy season in the country,” Servando said.
“Moreover, the high chance of La Niña conditions to develop by the July-August-September period increases the likelihood of above-normal rainfall conditions in some areas of the country, especially towards the end of the year,” Servando also said.
La Niña is a climate pattern characterized by above-average rains.
Aghon, the country’s first tropical cyclone for this year, developed into a tropical depression last Friday. It intensified into tropical storm, severe tropical storm and typhoon, all last Sunday. It has made nine landfalls before its exit.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Aghon was some 1,225 km east northeast of extreme northern Luzon. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It was moving northeastward at 35 kph.
Servando said there may be breaks in rainfall, or monsoon breaks, that may last for a few days or weeks despite the declaration of the rainy season.
“PAGASA will continue to monitor the weather and climate situation of the country,” he said.
“The public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season, `habagat,’ and the impending La Niña such as floods and rain-induced landslides.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said its official death toll from Aghon is one — a 14-year-old female who was hit by a fallen tree in Misamis Oriental.
The Quezon provincial police reported six deaths due to drowning and a fallen tree. A Batangas local government official said one died of electrocution in the province.
The NDRRMC said it was validating other deaths, through the Management of the Dead and Missing cluster.
In a situational report on Wednesday morning, the NDRRMC said Aghon has affected 16,336 families or 51,659 individuals in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas and National Capital Region.
Of the number, 5,463 families or 34,007 individuals have been displaced. The number though was already down to 5,463 families or 21,225 individuals as of yesterday morning.
AID
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has distributed some P3.62 million worth of food and non-food relief items to communities affected by Aghon in nine regions.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined Quezon officials in distributing family food packs, cash aid and non-food relief items such as hygiene and sleeping kits to typhoon-affected residents of Mauban and Pagbilao towns.
The DSWD said Gatchalian’s visit was on President Marcos’ instruction “to ensure the speedy delivery of aid to the locals of these two municipalities.”
DSWD data showed that as of 6 a.m. yesterday, affected were 22,770 families or 70,956 persons from 566 barangays in Regions I (Ilocos), III (Central Luzon), IV-A (Calabarzon), IV-B (Mimaropa), V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), VIII (Eastern Visayas), and the national Capital Region (NCR).
A total of 3,808 families or 15,374 individuals were displaced which includes the 1,457 families (5,696 persons) who are taking shelter in 98 evacuation centers and the 2,352 (9,678 persons) who are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
Twenty-six houses were reported damaged due to Aghon. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
