Pagasa: 8 to 11 more tropical cyclones expected until yearend
MANILA, Philippines — Up to eleven more tropical cyclones may still develop and enter the Philippine boundary before the end of the year, an official of the state weather bureau on Saturday.
“At least eight hanggang 11 na bagyo [pa ang inaasahan ngayong taon],” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Deputy Administrator Nathaniel Servando in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
(At least eight to 11 tropical cyclones are still expected this year.)
Servando added that the rain showers triggered by tropical cyclones can help increase the water level of the country’s dams.
“Dito sa Angat for example, inaasahan natin na at least two [tropical cyclones] ang dadaan para supisyente [o] tumaas ang lebel ng [tubig],” said Servando.
(Here in Angat, for example, we are still expecting at least two tropical cyclones to pass for its water level to be sufficient.)
Pagasa declared the onset of the El Niño phenomenon in the country in July. This phenomenon is known for causing below-normal rainfall conditions which may trigger dry spells and droughts.
Servando, however, stressed that apart from the below-normal rainfall conditions, stronger tropical cyclones are also expected when there is El Niño.
“Kapag may El Niño kasi ang inaasahan natin na malalakas iyong mga bagyo, particularly towards the latter part of the year, mga bandang September, October. Ang tinatamaan na dito lagi ay ang ating mga kalupaan, particular Visayas area,” said Servando.
(When there is El Niño , we are expecting stronger tropical cyclones, particularly towards the latter part of the year, around September or October. Most of these usually hit and make landfall in the Visayas.)
Pagasa previously bared that the Philippines, because of its geographical location, is the most tropical cyclone-visited country in the world with an average of 20 tropical cyclones per year.
