The state weather bureau warned of “high” to “very high" risk of storm surges in low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Luzon amid the wrath of super typhoon Karding.
Apart from the heavy or sometimes torrential rains, residents of Luzon were likewise told to prepare against and brace for possible storm surges due to Karding.
A storm surge, locally known as “daluyong ng bagyo,” is defined as the abnormal rise in sea level that occurs primarily due to tropical cyclones. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), it is caused by the strong winds and low atmospheric pressures produced by weather disturbances.
In its 2 p.m.bulletin, PAGASA disclosed the “high” to “very high” risk of storm surges more than 3.0 meters in height in the coastal areas of northern Quezon including Polillo Islands and Aurora.
PAGASA labeled storm surges, particularly those more than 3.0 meters in height, as "catastrophic" because these may cause extreme damage to coastal communities and marine infrastructures.
The northern portion of Quezon and Aurora, however, were not the only areas where a storm surge may occur. Metro Manila is also at risk.
“Moderate to high risk of storm surge is also possible over Camarines Norte, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bulacan, the northern portion of Metro Manila, the southern portion of La Union, and the rest of Quezon,” said PAGASA.
“The combined effects of storm surge and high waves breaking along the coast may cause life-threatening and damaging inundation or flooding,” it added.
What should you do?
Storm surges are dangerous and can be life-threatening. In order to minimize its possible impacts, PAGASA urged the public to cautiously monitor weather updates from reliable news sources.
Individuals residing in storm surge-prone areas were likewise told to prepare and immediately evacuate as soon as instructed by their local government unit (LGU) or barangay officials.