Tropical cyclone enters PAR tomorrow
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ sixth tropical cyclone this year is expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility tomorrow, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Ferdie (international name Bebinca) is expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 hours and may reach typhoon category today.
“This tropical cyclone is expected to exit the country on Saturday morning. It will remain far from the Philippine landmass,” the state weather bureau said yesterday.
Eastern Visayas, Bicol and Caraga are already experiencing cloudy skies and rains, PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said at a briefing.
“There is a small chance that the cyclone will make landfall in the country, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon as it moves northwestward,” he said.
The enhanced southwest monsoon will also bring rains to Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Mimaropa, Badrina noted.
Heavy rains are expected in the northern and western portions of Mindanao, PAGASA said.
Farmers and fisherfolk must prepare for Ferdie, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday.
Mature crops should be harvested and seed reserves must be secured, the agency noted.
“Relocate farm machinery, equipment and other farm tools to higher ground, secure sufficient feeds and water for relocated animals and clear drainage in irrigation and rice paddies from obstructions to prevent flooding and promote fast water drainage,” the DA recommended.
The Philippines remains at the top of the list of countries most exposed and vulnerable to disasters, based on the 2024 World Risk Index.
For the third consecutive year, the country’s disaster risk remains “very high,” scoring 39.99 in exposure and 55.03 in vulnerability, or a geometric mean of 46.91 out of 100.
In 2023, the Philippines scored 46.86 and 46.82 in 2022. Scores above 12.89 are classified as very high.
Citing 2020’s Super Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) at the height of the pandemic, the report said destroyed homes, overcrowded evacuation centers and COVID-19 cases led to a dramatic increase in humanitarian needs and negatively impacted the
