LAST June 15, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has officially declared the start of the rainy season. Based on its official bulletin, some areas will experience Type 1 climate, which refers to areas along the western side of the country and associated with the southwest monsoon. These include Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Mindoro, Palawan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and Metro Manila.
As we have been experiencing drizzles, which are getting stronger and stronger as the days pass by, we have no choice but to stay indoors as much as we want to do some outdoor fun and adventure. While a rainy day brings a gloomy feeling, it should not hinder us as we continue our day-to-day activities.
Here are some tips on how we can cope on a rainy day:
* Always bring an umbrella and/or a raincoat. Nothing can ever make our day bad than having our well-pressed clothes soaked up in rain. Aside from this, this will ensure that we will not be unwell because of cough, colds or fever the next day. Umbrellas, whether they are the handy and folding type, or the bulky and unfolding ones, can be used as an accessory too. When buying an umbrella, always go for the durable kind. Raincoats are worn by those who are riding motorcycles and bicycles to protect themselves from getting wet from the rain.
* Check the weather updates. Before leaving the house, have time to check the weather bulletin for any warnings of typhoons and heavy rains. In this way, you can be prepared in terms of your itinerary and your outfit for the entire day.
* For those living in easily-flooded areas, it is always good to wear a pair of rubber boots for sanitation and hygienic purposes. This is to avoid acquiring various flood-related diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis and hepatitis A. A rubber boat or a make-shift raft should be readily available to transport you to a higher and safer place in cases of flash floods.
Protect your electronic gadgets. The greatest enemy of all electronic gadgets such as cellphones, digital cameras, iPods and even laptops is water. To protect these during the rainy season, make sure that you have a waterproof plastic container where you can keep all your electronic gadgets.
For those who are driving their own cars, here are some rainy day driving tips:
* It's best to slow down on a rainy day since roads are wet and slippery to avoid accidents.
* Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely since the spray created by their large tires reduces your vision.
* As much as possible, avoid changing lanes especially during heavy rains to prevent accidents.
* While it is a common practice to turn the hazard lights when it is raining heavily, it is not recommended because it will confuse drivers behind you when you're about to change a lane or take a turn.
Whether we're looking at the rainy season in its literal or figurative meaning, we can be assured that there is always sunshine after the rain. As the saying goes, "After the rain comes a rainbow."