Manila: Even as storm Linfa is expected to exit the Philippines, a new weather disturbance is expected to make its presence felt in the coming days, giving no respite to rain-weary Filipinos.
According to the state weather bureau PAGASA, typhoon Chan-hom (locally named ‘Falcon’) is expected to enter the Philippines some time on Tuesday evening.
PAGASA forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said that although Chan-hom will not make landfall in the Philippines, it is expected to enhance the south-west monsoons which had been bringing heavy rains and causing misery to residents of Central Mindanao region, as well as Palawan.
In August 2012, although typhoons Haikui and Saola did not directly hit the country, they nevertheless enhanced the south-west monsoons, resulting in more than a week of continuous rains that brought misery to residents of Metro Manila and surrounding areas.
The floods left 95 people dead and more than 8,400 homes destroyed.
Aldcazar said Filipinos should prepare for the effects of Chan-hom although it will not directly hit the country.
“Chan-hom is carrying maximum sustained winds of 120km/h near the centre and gustiness of up to 150km/h. It is forecast to move west, northwest at 20km/h, he said.
“Tomorrow morning, it is expected to be 1,190km east of Itbayat, Batanes and at 780km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Thursday morning. By Friday morning, it is expected to be 600km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility,” he added.
Over the past three days, parts of the country had been experiencing heavy rain due to the presence of storm Linfa (locally code-named Egay).
While the storm has not caused significant damage, it had disrupted daily life for residents of Luzon as well as Maguindanao, North and South Cotabato, as well as Palawan.
Ships had cancelled sailings and carriers were forced to postpone flights to the northern part of the country due to the storm.
In Maguindanao and South Cotabato, several days of heavy rains caused massive flooding and landslides that killed seven people.
In Luzon, disaster reduction officials said they have yet to receive any reports of any casualties from the storm.
“A total four landslide incidents in Palawan, Benguet and Apayao were reported,” Executive Director Alexander Pama of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
There were reports of massive flooding in La Union, Palawan, Apayao, Mandaluyong City and Marikina City, but the waters have already subsided in most areas.
A total 48,300 people were affected in 242 villages across the country.
Every year, hundreds of Filipinos die from the effects of typhoons and other weather disturbances.
