The rainy season has started, so the state weather agency has declared.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the “onset of the country’s rainy season on Wednesday, May 29 with the occurrence of scattered rain showers, frequent thunderstorms, the passage of Typhoon ‘Aghon,’ and the prevalence of the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ over the past few days bringing significant rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas, indicating the start of the rainy season in the country.”

But even as Typhoon Aghon blew over several regions causing seven deaths and ₱11.83 million damage in the agriculture sector as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the warning of “extreme danger” heat index was still being issued by PAGASA on May 30 to affect the other parts of the country.  The advisory said 45 areas  may still experience a “danger” heat index on May 30, the highest hitting Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 53°C.

Although the Philippines is a country not large enough to have extreme weather conditions in the north and the south, but with climate change, the tail end of the El Niño, and the beginning of La Nina, our resilient nature will have to deal with the varying conditions.

Coming out of the heat wave and still feeling the high temperature, it may take a while for many households and communities to prepare for the rainy season.  But as we all know, in our country, the saying “when it rains, it pours” comes literally because then, the floods follow.

Today, take time to review your household’s preparedness for the rainy season, and for the floods, too.  Although there are many who still think a go-bag is an extreme preparedness measure, it’s never too late to review the benefits of having one somewhere easily accessible to the members of the family.

A go-bag contains items for basic survival needs and medical emergencies such as a first aid kit and the important medicines needed by members of the family, especially the seniors.  Basic survival needs include flashlights and extra batteries, drinking water, canned food, jackets, blanket. The content of a go-bag depends on a household’s preparedness plan.

The more important action is to heed the advisories of the Department of Health (DOH) on the illnesses and diseases that come with the rainy season.  These are water and food-borne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue which a DOH spokesperson called “WILD” for easier recall.

We are aware of influenza and illnesses that have the same symptoms, so it's best to observe if a cold is caused by an allergy, or a virus. 

Water and food-borne diseases are prevalent during these days because of contaminated water due to floods, which can also cause gastroenteritis.

DOH also reminded people to avoid wading in flood waters, especially if one has a wound, as that can cause leptospirosis.  Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria from the urine of infected animals.

The rainy season also brings mosquitoes to breed in stagnant water around the community, and with that comes dengue.  Cleaning one’s surroundings will take out the breeding places for the mosquitos, while putting on insect repellent and wearing clothes that cover the skin are easy methods of dengue-prevention, the DOH said.

Meanwhile, motorists and commuters should be more patient when there is a traffic snarl created by personnel of government agencies who are cleaning the drainage systems along the main streets. That action will contribute to preventing flooded streets in the coming days and months.

One last piece of advice:  Be prepared for the rains. Bring an umbrella or a jacket.