There is no storm or typhoon in the country, and a low-pressure area detected days before Christmas did not develop into a tropical depression.
Instead, from Dec. 18, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued several warnings that a shear line would bring “moderate to heavy rains” in many parts of the country. On Dec. 19, PAGASA said the trough of a low-pressure area combined with the shear line would bring moderate to heavy rains over Bicol, Romblon, the Samar provinces, CARAGA and the Davao region. The LPA apparently dissipated, while the shear line warning was lifted on Dec. 21.
On Dec. 24, the shear line warning was reissued, with a warning about “heavy to intense with at times torrential rains” over Eastern Samar and “moderate to heavy with at times intense rains” over the rest of Eastern Visayas. For Christmas Day, the warning was for “moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rains” over southern Palawan, Eastern Visayas, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
A similar rainfall alert was issued on Dec. 26 for Eastern Visayas, Bohol, CARAGA, Northern Mindanao and Davao Oriental. By that time, Misamis Occidental in Northern Mindanao was already grappling with torrential floods. As of yesterday, the death toll from the flooding had risen to 13, with at least seven of them from Misamis Occidental. As of last night, 23 people remained missing in several provinces.
Filipinos are no strangers to tropical cyclones, and disaster preparedness has improved over the years. Yet the cataclysmic flooding and consequent death toll indicate that the areas hit by the incessant heavy rains were unprepared for the calamity. The governor of Misamis Occidental admitted that the intense rains and flooding caught them by surprise.
Weather experts may have to explain what a shear line is to encourage sufficient preparation against disaster. The explanation that a shear line is the point where hot and cold air meet, which could trigger heavy rain, sounds too benign for people familiar only with the dangers posed by super typhoons and killer storm surges.
The risks posed by incessant rains must also be emphasized in areas where natural watersheds and floodplains have been destroyed by deforestation or indiscriminate development and other human activities.
Scientists have warned that global warming is causing extreme weather disturbances all over the planet. The Philippines has been classified as one of the countries most vulnerable to the calamitous impact of climate change. This is apparent in the Christmas tragedy unfolding in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Disaster preparedness protocols need enhancement to better address emerging climate threats.