Prepared, yes; panic, no
THE blurbs for television news should be more specific. Those in television should realize that many people just listen with half an ear and watch with half attention. Saying a super howler is bearing down on the Philippines can easily send thousands panicking unnecessarily.
Tomorrow, we expect typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) to hit land somewhere in Leyte, at least that’s what the weather trackers are showing, and yet, it’s been said that people of Compostela Valley have already called off classes because of the oncoming typhoon.
It is understandable that people who have suffered most are quick to panic. Thus it is upon all of us to deliver the message and warnings in the clearest possible terms.
The message sent out on television news was that the oncoming typhoon Yolanda is as strong as Pablo. The message received is that super typhoon Yolanda is like Pablo. The message as understood is Yolanda is taking Pablo’s path. The result, fear.
The clearer message would have been super typhoon Yolanda is heading toward Samar-Leyte. Between Samar-Leyte and Davao Oriental or Compostela Valley is half of Mindanao and the islands of Bohol, Cebu, and half of Mindanao.
Typhoon Yolanda is lumbering towards Leyte and goes on a straight path out via Mindoro Occidental. Because of its strength and radius, it will affect areas up to Metro Manila and Dumaguete.
Yolanda is estimated to be stronger than the August 2013 typhoon Labuyo (Utor) when it lands; Utor is the strongest so far this year.
AccuWeather.com foresees widespread torrential rain and damaging winds that can bring mudslides and flood, especially so because it comes in the heels of tropical depression Wilma (Thirty), which brought heavy rain and have thus already saturated the earth, more rain can no longer be absorbed.
The sad part here is it’s heading toward the areas recently hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and can thus create more havoc given the temporary housing and earthquake-weakened structures.
It will also bring severe and inundating storm surge on the eastern coast of Southern Luzon and Samar islands.
While it is not expected to hit Metro Manila, winds of up to 80-120 kph and rainfall of about 4-8 inches will still hit the metropolis.
From www.wunderground.com, it says that Yolanda, packing winds of more than 156 mph or 251 kph is forecasted at Category 5 as it lumbers through Palau to the Philippines, but will slightly weaken to a Category 4 typhoon when it makes a landfall on Leyte at about 131-155 mph or 211 to 249 kph. This is similar in strength to typhoons Pablo (2013) and Ruping (1990). Again, the similarity is in the strength. But no, it is NOT headed Pablo’s way.
Information is basic. Correct information and interpretation of the information spells the difference. Preparedness is encouraged, panic is unnecessary.