Ulysses being monitored manually in Catanduanes after Rolly damaged weather tools

After Super Typhoon Rolly destroyed some equipment of state weather bureau PAGASA in Virac, Catanduanes, officials are now using manual tools to monitor Typhoon Ulysses.

In a video from GMA News stringer Jinky Tabor, authorities were seen recording the location and movement of Ulysses on a tarpaulin drawn with grids as an alternative to a weather map shown on a wide LED monitor.

Among PAGASA equipment and weather instruments destroyed were a Doppler radar, anemometer, and communication lines, among others.

During the onslaught of Rolly, the Doppler radar station located atop a mountain between the towns of Bato and Baras was damaged.

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

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

PAGASA Catanduanes officer-in-charge Juan Pantino Jr. said the antenna of the radar was washed out due to Rolly.

Catanduanes is one of the areas most affected by Rolly. The super typhoon first made landfall over Bato, Catanduanes on Nov. 1 as the province was placed under the highest storm signal, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5.

Aside from suffering damage in agriculture and infrastructure, the province also had its power supply, water supply, communication, and accessibility affected.

In a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum in July, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said his department set up more equipment and installed additional facilities to improve its monitoring.

Dela Peña said his agency added one Doppler radar, 12 high-frequency Doppler radars, and five flood forecasting and warning systems. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News