Sunday, August 12, 2007
RAIN GONE AWAY
The puddles have all dried up, while everything else has returned to its usual condition, though only a few days ago, life in the city and some northern provinces were once again disrupted by a tropical storm, Chedeng.
Motorists being stranded due to flooded roadways and schools suspended for two days were some of its adverse effects; however, PAGASA weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz said in a radio interview, "the good part about it is the winds are not too strong and it may bring the rain that we need.”
As widely reported, Metro Manila and western Luzon has been experiencing an alarming dry spell expected to continue through August and September.
PAGASA, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration, claims an average of 20 tropical cyclones hits the Philippines every year; two to three typhoons are expected to hit the country this month, but so far, only two typhoons have entered the country. That is only 25 percent of the average for the period of January to July.
What we may be lacking in typhoons, PAGASA had compensated by having an ample supply of names prepared for them all the way to the year 2016. These names supposedly come in four-year cycles, which means typhoons in 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013 will have the same names in alphabetical sequence.
Therefore, right after the recent typhoons, Chedeng and Dodong, the incoming one have already been assigned the names of Egay, Falcon, Goring (formerly Gilas), Hanna (Harurot), Ineng, Juaning, Kabayan, Lando (Lakay), Mina (Manang), Nonoy (Nina), Onyok, Pedring (Pogi), Quizel, Ramon (Roskas), Sandong (Sikat), Tisoy, Ursula, Viring, Weng, (Wang-Wang), Yoyoy, and Zigzag.
Historically speaking, cyclones used to be named after women as started by Australian weatherman C. Wragge before the end of the 19th century; whereas, before then, cyclones were arbitrarily named. Eventually, naming storms became so popular that military forecasters named storms after their wives and girlfriends.
In 1942, the United States press named a storm after President Truman and later on named another one after his wife Bess. For more on this trivia, check out Rudy Fernandez' article on Philippine Star, "Typhoon names? No shortage here."
posted by Señor Enrique at 6:40 AM
22 Comments:
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said... We've been hit with the dry spell too and it hasn't been pouring lately until yesterday. Boy, we were glad to see those raindrops falling down.
;)
I hope the tropical storm has subsided and that nothing was damaged badly.-
said...
dahil sa dry spell naghihintay tayo ng bagyo ngayon, sana may dumating pa para naman maibsan na ang problema natin na gawa ng tag-tuyot.
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said...
Hello Señor Enrique! Found your blog via a post written by inkblots. Very entertaining! I'd like to invite you to Davao City this 27 October for the 1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit. It would be great to have a photo blogger here for the event. We have one in Davao, Jojie Alcantara, and she's done shoots for Mabuhay. And I'm sure you know, we don't have typhoons in Davao. ;)
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jon go said... sigh.. thankfully, the rain has finally stopped. it really gets me down in the dumps when it's pouring cats and dogs.. it's .such a big hassle doing things when it's raining..
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Señor Enrique said...
The other typhoon, Dodong, that immediately followed Chedeng somehow followed a trail that led outside of the country's area of responsibility so, not much damage from either one, Kyels.
Glad that somehow your country also got some rain even it just to raise the water level up a bit.-
Señor Enrique said...
Oo nga, Iskoo, kailangan pa din natin pero sana naman ay walang kasamang malaking pinsala ito. At huwag naman na sana sa Bicol.
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Señor Enrique said...
Wow! Many thanks for the invite, Blogie Robillo!
What's up with Davao? It seems to be a hot spot for wonderful events lately. Let's see, there's the first Kadayawan sa Dabaw Photo Contest sponsored by Canon Philippines, to be held August 13-18, 2007.
And now, the very first Mindanao Bloggers Summit to be held on the 27th October.
Okay, I won't say anything elese at this time, but rest assured, I'd give it much thought -- a fine excuse for me to visit Davao, actually!
Many thanks again!-
Señor Enrique said...
I can understand how you feel, Jon, but we desperately need the water, though.
Perhaps, the best antidote is to shop for some fine rain gear so when it rains, you'd be fashionbaly ready for it ... hehehe.
Hey that's how we deal with snowstorms in New York -- by wearing those awesome winter wear :)-
said...
Neat reflection shot on that puddle :D
I'm wondering who comes up with those names? Is is a group or a single person? Hmmm...-
said...
The weather's been pretty bad lately. Hindi rin ako makatakbo dahil dun. But it's all good so as to alleviate the effects of the drought. Man, are we feeling the effects of global warming.
It doesn't help that I have a sucky umbrella. Kaunting hangin lang, bibigay na. Haha.
It's always a pleasure to drop by your blog, señor!-
-= dave =- said...
Yup, not much typhoons for this year, unlike last year, which was quite a deluge.
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carlotta1924 said...
in fairness nagustuhan ko ang pag-ulan last week though i'm more partial to sunny days.
very nice pic btw! very lovely blue sky. =) i'm guessing that's in makati =)-
said...
We can't be sure yet as to how much rains we will be getting this year. And as we know it - the strongest typhoons come in the country during the months of October and November. 'Gading' in October 1998 toppled down trees and electric posts in many places that things came back to normal in our place only after a month!
I like the pic here, Eric. Reminds me of Gem. She loves taking pics of buildings at Ortigas with her cam phone. :)-
Señor Enrique said...
I'm sure during some company-paid luncheon or dinner, when everyone would start tossing names of their friends or loved ones ... hehehe.
Thanks, Ferdz!-
Señor Enrique said...
Many thanks, Ced!
I think it's time to invest in a new umbrella. But then again, not even the most expensive models would be able to withstand the fierce winds of our serious typhoons.
How about some boots and raincoat with a hood? But those get too hot to wear in our tropical weather, though. Oh, well ... hehehe.-
Señor Enrique said...
Darn, no more deluge. Some tamed raining like Cheddeng's will do, Dave.
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Señor Enrique said...
Me, too, Carla, mainly because of the chilly nights and early mornings :) Nice!
And you are right once again. That photo was taken on Legazpi Street in Makati :)-
said...
Interesting how typhoons have been named and the choice between male or female had bee a toss up for many years. I've always wondered why they haven't thought of naming typhoons after animals like Lassie, Goofy , etc.. so it gender neutral, keeping in line with political correctness :)
The naming convention plus recycling of such names every 4 years looks ok but I still think each typhoon ought to be given respect LOL.. If we have 20 in one year, that's only 200 names in 10 years. Heck we won't run out of names until the next century hehe :)-
Señor Enrique said...
I've a feeling that Gem is fascinated with cityscapes and skyscrapers.
You're right. Manilenyo came last October and what madness that was!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's a good though on giving this typhoons more respect, BW.
And you're right as well with the abundance of names available for all these typhoons :)-
said...
"How about some boots and raincoat with a hood? But those get too hot to wear in our tropical weather, though. Oh, well ... hehehe."
I don't think I can carry that kind of clothing. Haha.
Have you heard of the tornado that struck Brooklyn? I read that it was the first of that intensity in more than a hundred years.-
Señor Enrique said...
No, Ced. Haven't heard of the tornado that hit Brooklyn.
I've experienced some fierce hurricanes in New York City, though. Frightening at times!
