The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday advised the public to be prepared for the rainy season as about five to eight more typhoons are likely to hit the country until the end of 2020.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said one or two of these typhoons may be destructive so preparation is important to mitigate its effects on the people.
"Makakaasa pa tayo hanggang sa katapusan ng Disyembre ng lima hanggang walong bagyo. Sa karansasan naman natin, usually mayroong isa o dalawa sa mga bagyong ito na maaring mapaminsala ng husto o malakas (We are expecting five to eight more typhoons until the end of December. In our experience, usually there's one or two typhoons which may be destructive or powerful)," Jalad said in a virtual press briefing.
Jalad said the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which he heads as its administrator, has conducted pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meetings to discuss preparedness measures for La Nina or the wet season, which is seen to last until the first quarter of 2021.
An average of 20 typhoons are entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) every year.
Two recent typhoons, tropical depression "Ofel" and tropical storm "Pepito," were the 15th and 16th typhoons to have hit the country this year.
Tropical Storm Pepito was expected to make landfall over Aurora or Isabela province on Tuesday night, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Jalad said a red rainfall warning advisory was issued in Camarines Norte due to torrential rains possibly caused by Pepito.
A red rainfall warning means that there are more than 30 millimeters of rain being experienced in a particular area in a span of one to two hours.
"Maaaring magdulot ng pagbaha sa mababang lugar at landside sa medyo mataas na lugar so pinapaalalahanan natin ang mga kababayan para sa kanilang kahandaan at ang LGUs (This could result in floodings in low-lying areas and landslide in high areas so we are reminding the public and the local government units to be ready)," Jalad said.
Meanwhile, Jalad said Ofel has affected 5,844 families or over 26,000 individuals. The affected persons are from 95 barangays in Calabarzon (Region 4A), Bicol (Region 5), and Central Visayas (Region 7).
A total of 1,405 families also evacuated but most of them have since returned to their homes, he noted. The initial cause of damage to agriculture was estimated at P1.3 million.
Earthquakes in PH Trench
There were also several earthquakes monitored in Caraga (Region 13), particularly in the Philippine Trench, which is located in the seas near the eastern landmass of the country.
"Alam naman natin na kapag ang lindol ay nagmula sa ilalim ng dagat, posibleng magdulot ito ng tsunami. Ang ating mga pagpupulong ay nagresulta sa mga advisories at pagpapalakas ng information at education campaign para maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan at local chief executives, ganoon din ang national government agencies na magkaroon ng paghahanda para dito (We all know that if the earthquake comes from underneath the sea, it could possible cause a tsunami. Our meetings resulted in the release of advisories and strengthening of information and education campaign so the people, the local chief executives, and national government agencies will be prepared for this)," Jalad said.