PAGASA: Upcoming typhoons may hit Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — A local weather specialist has warned disaster managers that upcoming weather disturbances are more likely to hit Visayas region because of the northeast monsoon season.

Romeo Aguirre, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Mactan station, said that the northeast monsoon or amihan is pushing weather condition from the north downward.

 “It is the northeast monsoon that affects the movement or track of any land-falling weather system during this period,” Aguirre said.

He cited typhoon Rosita that is now affecting Luzon area. Aguirre said that earlier forecasts indicated that it is to make its first landfall in Cagayan or Isabela province Tuesday morning. However, recent monitoring shows that Rosita is moving closer to southern Isabela or northern Aurora.

Aguirre said Rosita, the country’s 18th tropical cyclone this year, is predicted to leave Luzon area on the same day as it exits Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday evening. It may not bring heavy rains to Cebu but it disrupts the sea conditions off the island’s coast.

Aguirre said that the onset of northeast monsoon was declared last October 26 and may prevail until late February or early March next year. He explained that northeast winds, which originate from the north or mainland China blowing to the east of the country, push the weather system towards central or southern Philippines.

He encouraged disaster unit heads to initiate mitigating or preventive measures before any disaster hits the region. Based from climatological data, he said the track of weather systems is most likely to cross central or southern Philippines every November and December.

On each month, an average of one to two tropical cyclones is expected to develop and enter Philippine Area of Responsibility, according to PAGASA's forecast this year.

Aguirre explained that during this period, the northeast monsoon blows to farther areas and will recede upward by January. He advised local officers to keep monitoring the weather updates and heed the advisories so as to prevent any loss of life or damages. (FREEMAN)