PHILIPPINES. Manila: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warn the country of a possible super typhoon. The typhoon, locally known as Rolly and internationally Goni, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 30 Oct. 2020 at 2:00 AM.
Photo credit: George Buid ©2020
Typhoon Rolly enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility
Typhoon Goni strengthens as it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The tropical cyclone approaches with a wind speed of 215 kilometres per hour. PAGASA classifies storms with a wind speed of 220 kilometres per hour as super typhoons. Thus, the Philippines expects this typhoon to be the strongest of the year.
Struggling to recover from a previous typhoon
The country is in the most active typhoon season. The typhoon Molave, locally named Quinta, left the Philippines on 29 Oct. 2020. However, it greatly impacted Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas. While it sustained a wind speed of 45 kilometres per hour, it shifted to 55 kilometres per hour.
Meanwhile, the country struggles to recover from the destruction of typhoon Molave, which is not a super typhoon. Disaster agencies reported six people injured, nine dead, two missing in the areas of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western and Central Visayas. The total damage is estimated at Ph₱430 million in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.
Preparing for the storm
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) asked the local government units (LGUs) to prepare themselves for the super typhoon. In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced an increase in the deployment of their troops to areas like Laguna and Quezon Province.
Typhoon Molave is expected to get near the Bicol Regions on 1 Nov. 2020. PAGASA predicts it will hit near the area with a speed of 185 to 215 kilometres per hour. While it is still a typhoon, the alert of a super typhoon remains.
