THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said the country may experience from seven to 13 more tropical cyclones this year.
Some of these cyclones may become super typhoons, said Ana Liza Solis, chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section.
“As of now, we’re expecting seven to 13 (tropical cyclones) until the end of 2024 and we had one tropical cyclone this August “ she said in a radio interview.
Solis was referring to tropical storm “Dindo” which did not directly affect the country as it remained far from the landmass. It exited the Philippine area of responsibility last Monday.
Last month, the third cyclone for the year, “Carina,” intensified into a super typhoon and cause massive flooding in Metro Manila, prompting authorities to place the region under a state of calamity. Floods also occurred in nearby areas.
The first tropical cyclone, typhoon “Aghon,” hit the country in June. It left six people dead and affected about 152,000 individuals, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The second cyclone, tropical depression “Butchoy,” hit the country in July like Carina.
Their combined effects, and that of the southwest monsoon, left 48 people dead and affected some 6.46 million people, said the NDRRMC.
The cost of damage to infrastructure and agriculture from the three weather systems was placed at P4.95 billion and P2.06 billion.
Solis said there will be a “minimum” of seven more cyclones this year.
She said these tropical cyclones are expected to make landfall, and may thus cause damage to property.
“There is possibility, historically (speaking), we’ll have super typhoon during La Niña,” she also said.
In an advisory last month, PAGASA said there is a 70 percent chance of La Niña forming in August-September-October and “is likely to persist until the first quarter of 2025.”
