In typhoon-prone Catanduanes, Rolly destroys weather forecasting equipment

Typhoon Rolly ravaged not just homes but valuable weather forecast equipment as well in Catanduanes, one of the areas hardest hit by the storm.

According to Ian Cruz’ “24 Oras” report on Thursday, the onslaught of the typhoon damaged the Doppler radar station located atop a mountain between the towns of Bato and Baras.

PAGASA meteorologists had to walk six hours just to reach the station, which was one of only three nationwide that provided various information on incoming storms.

Acquired in 2015, the radar was useful in predicting the movement of cyclones thanks to its effective range of 250 kilometers.

“Na-wash out po ‘yung pinaka antenna ng Doppler radar natin dito sa Catanduanes. Tanggal po ‘yung supporting radome niya plus ‘yung parabolic antenna niya, tanggal po lahat. Nowhere to be found po lahat,” PAGASA Catanduanes officer in charge Juan Pantino Jr. said.

“Maliban po do’n, may mga instruments pa po kaming nasira ni Typhoon Rolly sa ating Doppler radar stations,” he added.

PAGASA’s Virac station also lost its anemometer and communication lines.

“May mga instrument pa rin tayo na puwedeng mag-determine ng mga weather disturbances na paparating sa atin,” Pantino said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News