Super typhoons among 11 tropical cyclones that hit PH in 2023

A total of 11 tropical cyclones— half the usual number that enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in a year — destroyed lives and property in the country in 2023, according to a report on “24 Oras” Tuesday.

Three of these tropical cyclones strengthened into super typhoons, including Super Typhoon Egay, which wreaked havoc when it made landfall in Northern Luzon last July.

The powerful storm resulted in 30 fatalities and caused millions of pesos in damages.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon (Habagat) brought heavy rains and floods in Luzon in July while the shear line brought massive floods in the island province of Samar in November.

In the town of Catarman in Northern Samar, a month's worth of rainfall poured over the municipality in just 24 hours in November.

Apart from storms, the Philippines is now feeling the effects of El Niño which is expected to last until April 2024.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News