Doppler radar to predict rainfall installed soon

The perennial problem of floods in Metro Manila can be a thing of the past only if we can predict the correct amount of rainfall.

According to Edwin Manresa, chief of the meteorological equipment maintenance section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), they are banking on the installation of Doppler radars in the country that would predict the intensity of rainfall whenever a storm breaks.

Manresa claimed Doppler radars are more accurate devices which could forecast the amount of rain falling in certain areas during the rainy season.

He stressed these radars will be installed in flood-prone areas in the country, particularly in Metro Manila and Pampanga.

Manresa said the radars, costing P50 million each, are currently under bidding.

Pagasa aims to install 10 of the radars by 2010. Two of the radars will be installed in Mindanao, one each in Subic, Zambales; Tagaytay City; Baguio City; Baler, Quezon; Aparri, Cagayan; Virac, Catanduanes; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; and Cebu City.

Vicente Malano, chief of Pagasa’s field operations center, explained the Doppler radar tracks cloud development and provides an estimate on the amount of rain that will fall.

Doppler refers to the principle named after Austrian scientist Christian Doppler in 1842. Doppler worked on his ideas using sound waves long before radio and the radar were invented.

Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said irresponsible waste disposal can be blamed for the perennial problem of flooding of most streets in Metro Manila.

Yumul urged residents to observe proper waste disposal to avoid flooding.

Apart from the heavy rains yesterday, Yumul said the floods are also caused by too much concrete with too little soil that slowed or prevented the seepage of excess water.