Pagasa launches typhoon, flood awareness week

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday launched "Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week" with activities that aim to provide the public with adequate information on how to cope with the rainy season.

PAGASA officer-in-charge and deputy director for operations and services Prisco Nilo said over 75 percent of the country’s casualties are associated with floods.

Nilo said the weather bureau wants to increase awareness on flood safety among the people, government, non-government offices (NGOs) and even the media.

"There will be no casualties when people are aware of the disaster," Nilo said in a press conference at the PAGASA main office in Quezon City.

This year’s theme for the observation of the first typhoon and flood awareness week is: "Kahandaan sa Baha at Bagyo, Kaligtasa’y Sigurado (Preparedness for floods and typhoons ensures security)."

PAGASA will provide updates on its preparations for typhoons, the rainy season and the floods that accompany such rainfall. The agency will also make the public aware of collaborative initiatives for promoting disaster awareness and preparedness against typhoon-related hazards.

President Arroyo signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1075 declaring the third week of June "Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week."

Under PP 1075, PAGASA will take the lead in ensuring that the appropriate information, education and communication activities in connection with "Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week" are conducted.

The activities will showcase the applications of the newly acquired technologies that have resulted in improved weather forecasting accuracy and other vital PAGASA services.

PAGASA now has upgraded upper-air equipment, and its synoptic and agromet stations have been rehabilitated, as has its meteorological system.

Meanwhile, PAGASA is coordinating with the Quezon City local government on community-based weather forecasting.

Noel Lansang, chief of the Quezon City disaster control division, said they are trying to train barangay officials in weather forecasting so they can equip PAGASA with weather or flood updates in their vicinity.

"This can be a basis for canceling classes," Lansang said. — Helen Flores