Storm season upon us

We have been experiencing continuous heavy rains for several days now due to the southwest monsoon exacerbated by Typhoon Egay. But despite the relief brought by the rain that gradually returns a comfortable water level in Angat Dam, Egay is still a supertyphoon that caused damage. Two were confirmed dead from Baguio and Isabela. Strong winds caused extensive damage in the northern part of the country. I can imagine Batanes being hit hard. A large part of Baguio lost electricity due to fallen power lines. Landslides occurred in some provinces. Floods were experienced in several areas.

Several airports and seaports stopped operations due to the typhoon. Many passengers were stranded because of this. According to PAGASA, typhoon Egay is already outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility but there is a low-pressure area forming again in eastern Mindanao. It's still a long way off but it's already being monitored. The southwest monsoon is also very active.

Many families were affected by Typhoon Egay, so government calamity funds should be ready for them. Evacuees fled from flooded and hazardous areas. Again, the lack of dedicated evacuation centers and not schools, or gymnasiums will be discussed. Here is where political will should play out. If another storm is forming, evacuees will stay longer. That means more help for them, meaning more calamity funds must be available.

We are entering the season of storms. The arrival of a typhoon is not a blessing but if you have to choose what is more favorable to you, a typhoon with strong winds and heavy rains or extreme heat that cause wildfires out of control, what will you choose? In Greece, wildfires are raging out of control and are now reaching communities. Even tourists are leaving because of the danger of the fires. This is El Niño making its presence felt all over the world.

It's only July but we are already experiencing consecutive storms. Hopefully, this is not a sign of more storms brewing in the coming months. Based on experience and history, the supertyphoons arrive during the month of September-October-November. Typhoon Reming hit at the end of November 2006, Ondoy in September 2009 and Yolanda hit at the beginning of November 2013. Pray that no such typhoons hit this October-December. The country is always first to receive the brunt of these Pacific-formed supertyphoons before they make their way to the Asian mainland. By the time they do, they have already weakened. Lucky them.