Monday, December 19, 2011

Scientist sees more 'Sendong'-like storms in south

David Dizon in ABS-CBN News (Philippines): Visayas and Mindanao should brace for more storms in the years to come due to the climate change phenomenon, a professor of the University of the Philippines' National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) warned Monday.

UP Professor Dr. Mahar Lagmay said the onslaught of tropical storm Sendong (international codename Washi) in parts of Visayas and Mindanao is consistent with previous predictions that storms would affect central Philippines.

"One of the predictions of climate change is that there will be intense storms or rainfall related to storms. Another prediction of the climate change phenomenon is that typhoons are going more into a centerly trend in terms of the Philippine archipelago. The middle part instead of the north," he told ANC's "Dateline Philippines."

He said meteorologists have long warned about more intense rainfall and typhoon tracks hitting Visayas region as a result of climate change. More than 600 people were killed after heavy rains brought by Sendong caused flash floods in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, earlier said Sendong brought 181 mm of rain in Cagayan de Oro, which is higher than the average of 99.9 mm for the month...

Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) over Mindanao on December 16, 2011, several hours before making landfall. From NASA

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