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Extreme heat, multiple storms: Natural hazards that hit PH in 2024
The Philippines endured unusually hot weather, was battered by several tropical cyclones, and even dealt with volcanic eruptions this 2024, which challenged disaster response teams, the government, and the public.
Here's a recap of the nation's experiences with natural hazards this year:
Scorching heat
The El Niño phenomenon, which began in July 2023, persisted until June 2024.
The natural phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, leading to below-normal rainfall.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that El Niño affected at least 4.65 million people, or about 1.22 million families.
Agriculture damage amounting to over P9.496 billion was also reported.
A state of calamity was declared in 432 cities and municipalities, as the impact of El Niño caused drought and water supply shortages.
This year, some parts of the country also experienced “danger level” heat indices.
The highest heat index of 2024 was recorded on May 26 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 55°C.
PAGASA defines heat index as the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity and the air temperature.
In areas experiencing a ''danger'' level heat index, which is from 42°C to 51°C, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, according to PAGASA. Heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure.
Scientists monitoring weather patterns said climate change played a role in the hotter-than-normal days seen in various parts of Asia, including the Philippines.
Guided by peer-reviewed methodologies, scientists from the World Weather Attribution examined how human-induced climate change affected the probability and severity of the extreme heat in West, South, and parts of Southeast Asia in April.
In their study, the World Weather Attribution found that the Philippines may experience extreme heat once every 10 years when the El Niño weather phenomenon exists and once every 20 years when it does not.
The study also said this year's El Niño made the heatwave in the Philippines ''about 0.2°C hotter.''
''If the world warms to 2°C above pre-industrial global mean temperatures, in both regions the likelihood of extreme heat would increase further, by a factor of 2 in West Asia and 5 over the Philippines, while the temperatures will become another 1°C hotter in West Asia and 0.7°C hotter in the Philippines,'' the scientists said.
Storms
After the Philippines entered the wet season, Typhoon Carina skirted the country in July, causing floods and landslides that killed at least 48 people.
According to the NDRRMC, the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Butchoy and Carina affected about 6.498 million people in 17 regions nationwide, including the National Capital Region.
Floods, swollen rivers, landslides, and soil erosion, among others, were reported in different areas.
The country also incurred over P2.155 billion worth of agricultural damage.
Even as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Carina continued to enhance the Habagat.
The Department of Health (DOH) also reported a surge in leptospirosis cases after Carina and Habagat brought severe floods to many areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila.
Tropical cyclones Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito successively entered PAR between October and November.
At one point in November, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito were either approaching the Philippines or had already passed over the islands at the time.
Citing a report by the Japan Meteorological Agency, US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said “it was the first time since records began in 1951 that so many storms co-existed in the Pacific basin in November.”
However, PAGASA weather division chief Juanito Galang said the same scenario was experienced by the country in 2020, and both occurrences could be attributed to the La Niña phenomenon.
“The four tropical cyclones in our Philippine Area of Responsibility is due to the La Niña-like condition,” Galang said.
The NDRRMC logged 159 casualties from the effects of Kristine and Leon, while at least 9.65 million people were affected.
The two tropical cyclones left about P6.75 billion worth of agriculture damage.
According to the Albay Public Safety Emergency Management (APSEMO), Kristine dumped more rain in Albay than Typhoon Reming, the deadly storm that hit the country in 2006 and impacted the Bicol Region.
Acting Albay Governor Glenda Bongao also said within 24 hours, the province experienced two months worth of rain.
Meanwhile, the onslaught of Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito killed 15 people.
The NDRRMC reported that agricultural damage was pegged at P699 million due to the effects of Nika, Ofel and Pepito.
Because of climate change, the rate of tropical cyclones making landfall, and the conditions leading to the high number of storms from September to November have all increased, the WWA study released in early December found. It also highlighted that "winds have become more likely and more intense."
“The analysis also found that the typhoon-favoring conditions will continue to increase as the climate warms, boosting the chances of destructive typhoons hitting the Philippines in the future,” the study said.
2025 climate outlook
According to PAGASA, the La Niña phenomenon has a 63% chance of emerging in January and persisting until March.
La Niña is characterized by unusually cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP). It is usually associated with above-normal rainfall conditions.
The number of tropical cyclones expected between January and June is as follows:
January: 0 or 1
February: 0 or 1
March: 0 or 1
April: 0 or 1
May: 0 or 1
June: 0 or 1
Kanlaon's wrath
This year, the country witnessed the fury of Kanlaon Volcano as it erupted in June and December.
On June 3, Kanlaon erupted, followed by a relatively strong volcanic-tectonic earthquake.
The rain caused the lahar to flow from the volcano, which resulted in a cement-like flood along the streets of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental.
The NDRRMC reported that agricultural damage due to Kanlaon's eruption amounted to P150 million.
Over 57,000 individuals or 17,000 families were affected.
Kanlaon once again erupted on December 9, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to raise its status to Alert Level 3, which means a magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions.
The ashfall from the eruption affected 30 cities and towns, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The NDRRMC said more than 11,000 families or about 45,000 persons were affected in the Western Visayas Region and Central Visayas Region.
Mandatory evacuation was strictly implemented within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone, but authorities are looking into expanding it.
As of December 24, 33 cities and municipalities had declared a state of calamity due to the effects of Kanlaon's eruption.
Agricultural losses have amounted to P33.55 million. —VBL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
