Heavy rains, floods in parts of PH caused by 3 weather systems —PAGASA

The heavy rains and massive floods experienced in several parts of the country were caused by the trough of the low pressure area (LPA), shearline, and Northeast Monsoon or Amihan.

According to Raffy Tima’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, PAGASA said the trough of LPA and shearline caused severe rains in parts of Visayas and Mindanao, while the Amihan was prevalent in Luzon.

“Sa susunod na limang araw maulan sa Visayas, at ganun din sa Mindanao dahil sa trough. Sa darating na araw darating naman ulit itong shearline kasi lalakas ulit yung Amihan,” PAGASA weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said.

The La Niña weather phenomenon —the cooling of surface temperatures which can cause widespread impacts on global weather conditions— also affects the weather conditions and can continue until March.

“Pag nag-combine effect yung shearline tsaka yung trough matinding ulan yon. Tapos yung La Niña pa,” Aurelio said.

The rains experienced in Metro Manila were also caused by the Amihan and La Niña which is expected to last until March.

However, even the effects of La Niña can be felt until June.

“Saturated ang lupa ibig sabihin hindi niya kayang sipsipin pa itong tubig kahit mahina ang ulan eh asahan na ang mga landslide and baha,” Aurelio said.

At least one person was confirmed dead while more than 5,700 people were affected as floods hit Lanao del Norte, the provincial government’s public information office (PIO) said Tuesday.

A total of 5,759 people or 1,227 families were affected by the floods in nine municipalities. Of the affected population, 1,856 individuals were displaced and staying in evacuation centers.

There were some reported missing persons due to the floods, Provincial information officer Zoila Maxine Esic said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it continues to provide help for the affected residents amid the inclement weather conditions.

“Sa ngayon naman po wala naman po tayong magiging problema dahil nakikita natin na sapat naman po yung pondo po ng DSWD,” DSWD assistant secretary Romel Lopez said.

“Sa ngayon po, nasa higit P85 million na yung ating naipapaabot na tulong kasama na po dito yung family food packs, non-food items natin,” Lopez said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday said that the number of reported fatalities due to rains and floods caused by the shear line since the Christmas weekend further rose to 51.

Meanwhile, 19 people were reported missing, including 10 in Eastern Visayas, seven in Bicol, and one each in Western Visayas and Zamboanga. Sixteen people were also reported injured due to the impact of the shear line.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News