𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: "PAGASA commits to weather forecasts and warning systems betterment" by Chloe Kirsten Saez

Published by: Lloyd Agbulos 

Date published: November 03, 2022

Time published: 10:55 AM

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is currently looking for ways to improve the disaster-prone country’s weather forecasts and early warning systems.

According to PAGASA’s deputy administrator for research and development, Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, they are conducting a pilot study on impact-based forecasting and warning services in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

"I think we really need to move fast on this because of what we are experiencing right now," Cayanan told ABS-CBN News Channel's "Headstart."

"I believe this is one of the improvements that we really need to implement as soon as possible," she added.

According to the latest data from the country’s disaster agency – last week, the grievous tropical storm "Paeng" killed at least 121 individuals, injured 103, and affected 3 million people as it caused terrible floods and landslides in the Philippines.

The damage to infrastructure that the tropical storm caused has been estimated at ₱890 million, whereas losses from crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries arrived at ₱1.2 billion.

The casualties that took place after Paeng’s rage served as the basis for Cayanan to admit that there are multiple improvements needed on the descriptions of the possible impact and intensity of cyclones in forecast advisories.

"Maybe we need to highlight the impacts rather than the description of the rainfall," Cayanan said.

"There's also a 'big gap' in terms of coordination with local government units," she added further.

The Philippines remains as the most disaster-prone country in the world and is currently at high risk of disasters due to its location in the typhoon belt of Asia.

SOURCES: 

[1] Maru, D. (2022, November 2). PAGASA vows to improve weather forecasts, early warning systems. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/02/22/pagasa-vows-better-weather-forecasting

[2] ABS-CBN News. (2022, October 12). PH most disaster-prone country in the world: report. https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/12/22/ph-most-disaster-prone-country-in-the-world-report

PHOTO SOURCES: 

[1] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1686352/fwd-paeng-slightly-intensifies-new-track-shows-cyclone-will-hit-bicol-calabarzon-ncr

[2] 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/12/22/ph-most-disaster-prone-country-in-the-world-report

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