Philippine authorities seek to calm fears of another deadly cyclone

The remains of a passenger boat capsized during a typhoon is pictured overlooking passenger boats near the shore. (Reuters)

MANILA: An American company providing commercial weather forecast services worldwide has predicted another tropical system will threaten the Philippines.
The unsettled weather between Guam and Palau can become a tropical cyclone, as the weather agency, AccuWeather, expects it to become “better organized” (stronger) by the end of this week. The development is predicted as early as Friday near Palau, with a general westward track taking it toward the Southern Philippines.
The Philippine authorities, in the wake of the devastation wreaked by deadly cyclones Kai-Tak and Tembin, which left more than 200 people dead and around the same number missing with more than 100,000 displaced, sought to allay fears that a “super typhoon” will hit the country in January 2018.
In a statement, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that while there is a possible formation of tropical cyclone, it is too soon to make a forecast whether it will strengthen into a super typhoon.
“The current weather analysis shows that there is a possible formation of tropical cyclone this coming January 2018,” the statement read. PAGASA pointed out that based on past patterns, it is normal for January to have at least one tropical cyclone. However, it stressed that “predicting the tropical cyclone intensity to reach super typhoon category for more than one week ahead has a very high uncertainty.
“The atmosphere is very dynamic, hence constant monitoring is necessary,” PAGASA added, as it advised the public “to be more careful, verify information and listen only to the right authority so as not to cause panic.”
The PAGASA issued the statement after a Facebook page, “Philippine Weather System/Pacific Storm Update,” published several posts about the potential cyclone which it claimed would be named “Wilma.”
In its latest advisory, PAGASA said, however, that moderate to heavy rains owing to thunderstorms are affecting parts of Leyte province and nearby areas in the Visayas.
It said the rains may persist within one to two hours and advised those in affected areas to take precautionary measures “against the impacts associated with these hazards which include flash floods and landslides.”
Meanwhile, in its latest update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported an increase in the number of people affected by Tropical Storm Tembin.
In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, the NDRRMC placed the number of affected families at 143,188, or 673,429 persons, in eight regions. Of the total affected population, 23,775 families or 111,641 persons are still in evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC likewise placed the death toll, as of Dec. 27, at 164 and those still missing at 176. The figures, however, are still to be validated.
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday called for a full review of the DRRM protocols, especially in the wake of the high death toll left by Tembin. She said this is to find any loopholes in the system and address them.
Binay also called for a review of existing land use plans and geo-hazard maps to identify vulnerabilities and sensitivities, and minimize hazard exposures.
The NDRRMC has welcomed the call for the review of its disaster protocols. Spokesperson Romina Marasigan added: “We don’t have perfect laws or perfect plans.” She said it’s about time all these protocols were reviewed, some of which have been there since 1998 and are, therefore, no longer attuned to the times.