Pagasa weather stations repaired

MANILA, Philippines - Most of the weather stations damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda last year have been repaired, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said last week.

PAGASA acting administrator Vicente Malano said, however, the P450-million Doppler radar in Guiuan, Eastern Samar has yet to be rehabilitated.

“The Guiuan radar is a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project and is for repair hopefully this year. Others have been restored,” Malano told The STAR.

He said JICA would shoulder the expenses for the repair of the radar.

Malano said a total of 15 PAGASA stations, mostly in the Visayas, were destroyed by the typhoon.

Earlier, the weather bureau said it has set aside an initial amount of P30 million for the repair of their stations.

Doppler radars are capable of predicting severe thunderstorms and allow quick issuance of warnings.

The equipment is also capable of generating accurate data on wind changes and rain clouds.

Malano said forecasters could use the data transmitted by Doppler radars installed in nearby areas, particularly in Virac, Catanduanes; Cebu, and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. He denied reports the eastern section of the country is blind to incoming weather disturbances.

“Data from satellite and other radar stations in Hinatuan, Cebu and Virac can compensate for the temporary unavailability of the Guiuan radar,” Malano said.

PAGASA Visayas director Oscar Tabada said the Guiuan radar is the country’s first line of defense against storms coming from the Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile, Malano said the weather monitoring facilities in Tacloban, Leyte were temporarily moved to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 8 office.

The PAGASA station in Tacloban was destroyed by waves generated by Yolanda in November last year, killing weather observer Salvacion Avestruz.