PAGASA launches text-a-typhoon drive

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has embarked on a "text-a-typhoon" program as it expects 15 more tropical storms to hit the country this year.

Dr. Graciano Yumul Jr., officer-in-charge of PAGASA, said they decided to utilize the short messaging system (SMS) to inform concerned agencies and communities about a forthcoming typhoon.

Yumul said the system is now operational after they collated the mobile phone numbers of concerned disaster personnel in various agencies and local government units so they could benefit from the program.

The program, he noted, would serve as a warning system for those that would be directly hit by typhoons.

PAGASA has assigned a mobile phone number that will be used to text those concerned.

Yumul added that the scheme would enhance the quick-response operations of those attached with the National Disaster Coordinating Council, minimizing the impacts of typhoons on life and property.

"But they have to register. After that, they will receive text messages from us when there is a typhoon," he told a press conference.

In areas that are not reached by cellular services, PAGASA is banking on the governors to relay the advisory to their staff.

Those based in far-flung areas are equipped with satellite phones.

PAGASA deputy director for operations and services Dr. Prisco Nilo said four typhoons have hit the Philippines since January and they expect 15 more to come before the end of the year.

Nilo claimed the country experiences the most typhoons during the months of July, August and September.

The strongest tropical storms, on the other hand, usually enter the Philippine territory during the month of September and the fourth quarter of the year.

He added that Metro Manila is prone to typhoons from September to November. The northern part of Luzon also falls on the path of typhoons during this time of the year while Bicol, Visayas and northern Mindanao are hit during the latter part of the year.

Yumul said the typhoon monitoring system would be improved through the two units of Doppler radar that the agency is set to install in Tagaytay and either in Bataan or in Subic next year.

The equipment, he maintained, is capable of measuring the volume of rainwater that is set to fall in areas within their coverage.

At present, PAGASA’s radar system is monitoring only the wind speed. And if a typhoon has minimal winds, just like those that hit the Quezon province, the forecasting capability of the agency is limited.

He added that PAGASA needs four more Doppler radars to effectively cover the Philippines so they are negotiating with Japan for this.

He said that they plan to install the four equipment in Guian, Samar; Virac, Catanduanes, Aparri and somewhere in Baler Quezon or Baguio City, replacing the old radars.

Yumul added that the old radars would be transferred in other places to widen the agency’s forecasting system.