Pagasa releases 2017 typhoon names

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) released yesterday the list of names to be given to tropical cyclones this year. 

These are Auring, Bising, Crising, Dante, Emong, Fabian, Gorio, Huaning, Isang, Jolina, Kiko, Lannie, Maring, Nando, Odette, Paolo, Quedan, Ramil, Salome, Tino, Urduja, Vinta, Wilma, Yasmin and Zoraida. 

PAGASA has four sets of typhoon names that are used every four years. 

In the event the number of tropical cyclones exceeds 25, PAGASA said it has a list of auxiliary names. These are Alamid, Bruno, Conching, Dolor, Ernie, Florante, Gerardo, Hernan, Isko and Jerome.

Nineteen to 20 cyclones normally visit the country every year. 

Last year, only 14 cyclones entered the Philippines due to the lingering effect of El Niño.  

Nina, the last cyclone for 2016, hit Southern Tagalog on Christmas Day and left at least seven people dead and billions of pesos in damage.

PAGASA said no tropical cyclone is expected to enter the country in the next five days.