First typhoon of the year enters the Philippines
Typhoon Basyang (International name Conson) was forecasted to entered the country on July 13, 2010. As of 11 p.m. (Manila time) of the same day, typhoon Basyang’s center has hit Infanta, Quezon. Basyang is expected to reach central Luzon on Wednesday and leave the country by Thursday. Storm signal number was 1 was already raised in Catanduanes, Camarines sur, Marinduque, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao, Benguet, La union and the rest of Quezon province. Signal number 2 was declared in the province of Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon, Rizal, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Lubang Island, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Bulacan, and Metro Manila. Classes of students in pre-school to high schools level were suspended by the Department of Education in provinces under signal number 2.
Afternoon Classes in Metro Manila were suspended. The Philippine Coast guard has already advised ships en route to Manila to dock in the nearest port. International flights were also advised to divert due to poor visibility due to the heavy rains.
At least 20 typhoons enter the country every year. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted that the only 13 to 15 tropical storm would enter the Philippines this year. This should be goods news; however the weather bureau expects that tropical storms would stronger in intensity.
This officially marks the beginning of the typhoon season in the Philippines. Filipinos fear that the typhoon may cause landslide and flooding. Last year two powerful entered the country which has caused massive flooding and destruction to infrastructure. Typhoon Ondoy and Peping enter the country last September and October respectively. These two typhoons claimed the lives of more the 1000 people. The weather bureau said that Basyang was only tropical storm but it has intensified and was classified as typhoon a few hours ago.
It is unfortunate that I am writing this while I am in the office. I am on my Graveyard shift and how I wish I am home in the comfort of my bed. The winds are so strong that I could hear it whistling. The rain is not as strong now but it was really pouring when I was on my way to the office. I hope that this typhoon would not be as strong as Ondoy. Last year I was not able to go to work due to the massive flooding. My wife on the hand was at her mall based workplace in SM north EDSA. The high amount of rainfall has caused the flooding of their basement making it inaccessible. She was also stranded for a couple of hours since the route that she has to take to get home was already flooded. Taxis, jeepney and bus service were also unavailable. Fortunately one of her officemates resides somewhere near our home and she was able to get a ride.
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