By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a press briefing held by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) this Monday, Weather Specialist Chris Perez shared information pertaining to the possible effects of Super Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa) on several areas in Luzon.
Perez noted that Nando will cause heavy rains in Northern Luzon, as well as certain areas in Central and Southern Luzon that would be brought about by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).
The weather forecaster told reporters, “Dito sa bandang Northern Luzon area, talagang asahan po natin na maraming pag-ulan tayong aasahan kaya ilang araw na po tayong nagbibigay-babala na posible itong magdulot ng mga pagbaha sa mga low-lying areas at sa mga lugar na malapit po sa gilid ng mga ilog.”
He added, noting the possible release of water from dams, “Dagdag pa diyan ung mga water reservoir po natin, we’re not ruling out the possibility na baka magbawas po ng kanilang level just in case na bumuhos nga yung matinding pag-ulan sa ilang bahagi po ng Northern Luzon area.”
DOST-PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Operations and Services Roy Badilla meanwhile noted the vast coverage of super typhoon Nando, which he says may further saturate the soil and trigger landslides in several areas in Northern Luzon that are still reeling from the effects of Tropical Depression Mirasol.
Badilla said, “Malaki po ang tsansa na magkaroon ng mga landslides dahil matagal na po nagkaroon ng mga pag-uulan doon; so loose na po ang ating mga kalupaan, matagal na silang basa.”
He further added, “So ngayon, inaasahan natin na mas malakas at mas marami ‘yong ulan na darating. ‘Yong mga flash-flood prone at landslide-prone areas, talagang malaki ang posibilidad na magkaroon ng mga ganitong event.”
The press conference concluded with PAGASA advising residents in affected areas to heed the advice of authorities, evacuate from hazardous areas, and monitor weather updates from the state weather bureau.
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