#TyphoonPH
Dazed
One, after one, after one. Just at the brink of life and death, another challenge faces the Filipino people — potentially for the third time around. This year is deemed to be the worst of the century so far, and one can’t even catch a break.
In a span of two weeks, three typhoons already poured in the Philippines — Super Typhoon Rolly, Tropical Storm Siony, and Tropical Depression Tonyo. It was these three until another Typhoon under the name “Ulysses” was spotted east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur that later redirected onto the typhoon-battered parts of Southern Luzon and some parts of Metro Manila. One by one these tropical storms surged the Luzon area without giving people the chance to recover. Typhoons are not new to the country, but how come this time around these come consecutively, in a short span of time?
The timeline starts on Sunday, November 1. Typhoon Rolly — by far the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone in 2020, made landfall in the Bicol region twice, proceeding to CALABARZON and weakens approaching the West Philippine Sea. The super typhoon sustained winds of 225 km/h and gustiness of 280km/h, raising signal no. 5, the highest tropical cyclone wind signal in the Bicol region. The typhoon caused damages worth approximately Php 11.3 billion, affecting 24 million people.
With the Super typhoon Rolly weakening into a tropical cyclone, another tropical storm entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Siony, the Philippines’ 19th tropical cyclone for 2020 entered the PAR hours after Rolly’s landfall. It was spotted 1,365 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 75km/h and gustiness of up to 90 km/h. The severe tropical storm however headed north towards Batanes and Babuyan islands; intensifying possibilities for landfall, raising storm signal no. 2. Siony did not make landfall as it turned westward, exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
The 20th tropical cyclone right after Siony made landfall on November 7, 2020–9 PM in Ticao Island. Named as tropical depression Tonyo, it started off as a low-pressure area sighted west of Sorsogon until it intensified. Tonyo brought maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 75 km/h as it approaches to landfall in Marinduque then Batangas, totaling the number of landfalls into three. The tropical depression intensified into a tropical storm as it left the PAR Monday of November 9.
Whilst exiting the PAR, another tropical depression now named Ulysses was seen 800 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as it intensified from its low-pressure area state. Ulysses moves northwest towards Bicol, which is still ill-fated after the super typhoon that hit on November 1. Currently, Tropical depression Ulysses intensified into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 km/h and gustiness of up to 155km/h, raising storm signal no. 3 in Central Luzon and Southern Luzon.
The consecutive cyclones entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility is a concurring phenomenon, but this time it comes to such an alarming rate — with four cyclones in less than half a month. Thoughts may ponder on how this became possible, and three players contribute to the formation of this natural force.
Cyclones naturally form above oceans, and the three players in its formation are air, water, and temperature. The water cycle best explains the first stages of cyclone formation — with warmer ocean temperature and warm air, evaporation becomes faster. The vapor accumulated from evaporation cools down and condenses; releasing heat into the air, triggering external air to go inward, then upwards, and towards the system. The continual air flow speeds up accumulation of water vapor in the clouds. As this process continues, energy and precipitation accumulate and winds increase speed.
The tropical cyclone is formed once the winds reach a certain speed, but it can intensify if it continues to accumulate energy and precipitation. The Philippines only has two seasons: the rainy season occurring from June to November, and dry season occurring from December to May. Around these times, it is expected that rainfalls are frequent and a number of storms may form. However, previous activities may be held accountable for the consecutive cyclones in the country.
Earlier this year, numerous wildfires have been reported from different parts of the globe. With the raging fires, heat accumulation in the air is highly possible. Warm air potentially traveled across the pacific, speeding up the process of evaporation. This activity may be possible but no in-depth observation has been made in accordance to cyclone formations due to wildfires. Nonetheless, warmer air is a possible culprit behind the cyclone formations in the pacific. Climate change is a mitigating factor in cyclone formations, but is not a direct reason.
The damages brought by the recent consecutive cyclones cannot be condemned, for it affected thousands of families with no sustenance left for them to live. Yet alone amid the pandemic, the present situation is harder for the affected individuals. Rehabilitation may take time since the typhoons are again consecutive and at this time, people are uncertain whether they can resume to rebuild what was damaged or brace for another storm that may come.
Livelihood is greatly affected by these typhoons, with agriculture left with costly damages. The agricultural sector is not much of some help to the local farmers too, in terms of the pricing of local grains. Victims of the typhoons appeal for help and assistance, but government action is yet to be searched for. Compared to the destructive super typhoon Yolanda, Rolly has caused lesser casualties; however, the number of casualties is not the sole basis for the intensity.
With only ourselves and the community to help one another, everyone should be alert and prepared before the storm — or any form of disaster that comes. Sure, we’re left dazed off by how these calamities came one after another, but a chance of hope and preparedness might bring us to safety and security.
[To our fellow Filipinos in harder circumstances right now, keep fighting. Stay strong and have faith — we can conquer this.]
