Thursday, December 30, 2010

Philippines expects 'extremely wet' weather in 2011

Manila Bulletin: The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Thursday warned of “extremely wet” weather conditions in 2011, mainly due to climate change. Science and Technology Undersecretary Dr. Graciano Yumul, also PAGASA’s officer-in-charge, said the effects of climate change have been evident in the country causing sea level rise and excessive moisture and rain.

“The normal event now is not anymore normal. Based on historical record, the eastern seaboard is usually hit hard by cyclones. But we see drastic change in storm tracks through time,” Yumul said. “We only have northeast monsoon, which is normal at this time, but it had already caused landslides and flashfloods in the Bicol Region,” he added.

He further noted that, “if we look at this year’s number of cyclones, we only recorded 11, as against the usual 20 to 23 cyclones annually. Where are the remaining 12 storms? We expect that there’ll be a rebound next year.”…

US Navy photo of a 2007 flood in the Philippines

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