Friday, November 23, 2007 Storm Mina intensifies, threatens Bicol Region By Carlo P. Mallo
THE weather bureau has advised residents in the Bicol Region to be alert as tropical storm Mina, which has intensified into a typhoon, is increasingly threatening the region.
In an interview Wednesday night in Davao City, National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said their focus now is on the arrival of "Mina," which is expected to make landfall Friday.
Teodoro also revealed they are closely monitoring "Mina" as it is being directly affected by tropical storm "Lando."
"Mina is on a very unpredictable course," he said.
Another concern of Teodoro is the threat of the tropical storm becoming a super typhoon.
"But I still hope that it does not become one," Teodoro said.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its 11 a.m. weather bulletin stated that Mina (international name Mitag) has intensified into a typhoon as it approaches the eastern side of Luzon, moving west at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
"There is a chance 'Mina' can change course and go west-northwest. If that happens, it may hit Central or Northern Luzon," Nathaniel Cruz, weather branch chief said.
It will pass the country in shorter time. Super typhoon Reming, which struck the country late 2006, whipped Bicol region for nine full hours resulting in hundreds of lives lost, Prico Nilo, Pagasa director recalled.
However, Pag-asa maintains it may still traverse in a westward direction, which is towards the Bicol region, to prepare the provinces for the looming storm.
While Mina is expected to make landfall over Quezon province, areas in the Bicol region will have heavy rains and strong winds as Mina's heavy cloud circulation hovers the region.
Nilo has warned of storm surge over the coasts of eastern and southeastern parts of Luzon, which may cause swelling of waves.
Pag-asa also warned of possible flashfloods and rain-induced landslides especially in low-lying areas and where rains will be concentrated.
Parts of the Bicol region have been experiencing stormy weather in the past days hence authorities in Camarines Sur and Legazpi, Albay have started evacuating residents of villages which will be potentially affected.
Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Catanduanes, while signal number 1 was placed over Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Polillo Island and Northern Samar.
Stormy weather can be expected in major parts of Luzon and the Visayas over the weekend, the Pagasa said adding improved weather condition can be expected Tuesday next week.
Even before the country could recover from the wrath brought about by tropical storm "Lando" at the start of the week, a stronger and more powerful storm has entered the country's area of responsibility.
"Lando" wreaked havoc in Northern Mindanao and in portions of Central Visayas. At least nine people were reported dead due to landslides cause by the heavy downpours of "Lando."
Teodoro added that more storms can be expected until the end of the year.
Relief goods
Together with the President, Teodoro arrived in Davao City Wednesday evening to conduct aerial surveys and distribute relief goods to the affected families in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Iligan City.
In the entire country, "Lando" has caused at least P17 million worth of damages.
Warning System
"We are going to double on our warning efforts," Teodoro said. He added that one of the primary problems of the NDCC is that people do not heed their warnings.
Teodoro added that even at the risk of over doing the warning system, he would take such risk just so to ensure that casualties and untoward incidents brought about by the storms would remain at a minimum.
Weather System
Teodoro also added that the current weather system used by Pagasa is not capable of determining the rainfall that a cloud system might have.
"If there is no weather disturbance, we are not capable of determining its possible effect," Teodoro said. Unlike if there is a upcoming storm, the Pagasa can determine its wind velocity and the amount of rain that it might possibly bring.
Teodoro highly recommended that Doppler Radars be installed in various regions in the country to have a better weather system that can give more accurate weather predictions.
The Pag-asa, for its part, has announced that part of its upgrading program is the installation of Doppler Radars in various parts of the country.
