New weather site watches flood-prone areas

MANILA, Philippines - Rainfall, temperature, wind speed and direction, air pressure and other features of the country's weather are mapped out in a simple-looking but comprehensive website Metro Weather.

The project (metroweather.com.ph) created by the Manila Observatory based in Ateneo de Manila University and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) records from 35 automated stations in flood-prone areas throughout Metro Manila, Rizal province and some parts of Mindanao.

It also presents visible and infrared satellite images to show which areas in the country suffer from heavy rainfall.

Metro Weather, as stated in the website, provides "near real-time" data that can prompt the public to prepare for severe weather conditions such as tropical cyclones and heavy flooding.

Chevron Country Chairman Jim Meynink, whose oil company is involved in the project, said that government is not solely responsible for improvements in weather forecasting and alerting as well as mitigations of the effects of climate change.

"This project represents what both can accomplish, which will ultimately help Metro Manila residents survive disasters caused by severe weather," Meynink said in the launching event on Wednesday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, whose agency is mainly concerned with the condition of roads and motorists, said Metro Weather is synced with mobile application, Metro Manila Traffic Navigator.

"Metro Weather will also help save more lives on the road [and] will help motorists determine alternative routes during times of torrential rain and flooding," Tolentino said.

Data transmission from the weather stations is through mobile giant Globe Telecom, then analyzed by Ateneo and the observatory and subsequently sent to MMDA to alert the public through social media and the Internet.

The Department of Science and Technology also recently launched the mobile-friendly version of popular weather tracking platform Project NOAH, which uses mainly technologies and disaster management services of related government bodies.