IT’S the season of strong typhoons, and we just have to brace for them.
Today, there is tropical storm Wilma bringing rain on the northern parts of Mindanao and Bohol. While it’s not a typhoon, by now we should already be very familiar with how devastating mere rainfall can be. There is also Haiyin to look out for, which at this time is still far away east.
We’re not trying to cause panic, but it helps to keep an eye on it as weather bureaus are saying it’s going to be a howler once it hits land, and it’s heading for somewhere north of Mindanao.
That’s just the forecast. Situations can change between the strength that this weather anomaly is gathering now and when it hits land by Thursday. But from the howlers we have been getting in the past years, we know we can never tell how strong the impact of this one will be.
With just about everyone having access to the Internet, it helps to know which sites to go. www.wunderground.com has been very useful in tracking tropical weather disturbances especially those that are not yet within the Philippine area of responsibility. Once it enters, then the Pagasa website (www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph) has been very useful, along with the Noah app on the phone, and Weather Philippines (weather.com.ph).
Again, all these are tools for information and not to sow panic. A well-informed public can act with discernment and act fast. Spend some of your surfing time accessing these services so that you will have a clear idea of what weather to expect.
Given the kind of irregular weather patterns we are getting and in unexpected strength, we should be most concerned about the weather and where the anomalies are. But, again, all these are forecasts and that means what may be seen as a strong one may just peter off once it nears land. Normal weather anomalies however strengthen as it approaches land and only then will it reduce in speed and gustiness. As fickle as weather is, we can never really tell until it hits us.
The one that will help us through the worst is readiness, not to fight the storm but through live through it and survive with a fighting chance of simply picking up some pieces and then recovering fast.
First, make sure your house is strong enough, repair what needs to be repaired. Clean up the house drainage so you don’t get unnecessarily flooded, and store enough food. Do not hoard, you will not need it. Store just enough to last a few days. Remember that in extreme cases, electricity will be the first to go, store what can be eaten without cooking. Keep flashlights and candles ready, along with first-aid supplies. Your cellphone may be very useful during normal circumstances, but nothing beats the reliability of transistor radios to monitor the news and weather advisories. Once the storm hits, make sure you constantly charge all communication equipment.
There is absolutely no need to panic, we only need to be prepared.