Pagasa unable to track typhoon due to radar damage

SUPERTYPHOON Yolanda also claimed as one of its “damage” the Doppler radar of the state weather bureau Pagasa in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Alfredo Quiblat, OIC Chief Meteorological Officer of the Pagasa Mactan Weather Station, said the destruction of the Doppler radar in Guiuan prevents them from tracking the movement of any weather disturbance coming from the Pacific Ocean.

“The Doppler radar in Mactan can only do its daily forecast which reaches the Guiuan area, but it can’t monitor the approaching movement of the typhoon from Pacific Ocean,” he said.

Quiblat said Pagasa is now relying on a meteorological satellite in monitoring typhoon movement towards the country. “The meteorological satellite can also do the monitoring of the typhoon movement in Pacific Ocean, but it is only 60 percent accurate unlike the Doppler radar in Guiuan,” Quiblat said.

The Doppler radar in Guiuan could provide up to the minute updates compared to the meteorological satellite which can transmit hourly or every 30-45 minutes updates. Quiblat said Pagasa will put up radar facilities in Iloilo, two in Palawan, one in Quezon and one in Batanes.

“The more radars installed, the more accurate it is in weather forecasting,” he added.

He said there is no schedule yet on when the Guiuan radar will get back online. Repair of the damaged radar is estimated to run up to P100 million.

The Marine Weather Station installed in Madridejos, northern Cebu was also damaged by Yolanda. Quiblat said their equipment can only monitor the height of the waves and temperature. Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag