PAGASA upgrades Subic equipment in time for La Niña
By MADEL R. SABATER, Manila Bulletin
Bracing for disasters caused by heavy rainfall brought by "La Nina", the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has set a "Grand Plan" which includes the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art weather forecasting equipment in key areas of the country.
La Niña is a weather phenomenon characterized by too much rainfall. It is indicated by cooler than average sea surface temperatures and the persistently stronger than average low-level winds, coupled with above average values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI).
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, newly-appointed Undersecretary for Research and Development (R & D) of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and PAGASA officer-in-charge Dr. Graciano Yumul, Jr. said said two new doppler radars will be installed in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and Tagaytay City within this year.
This, he said, is in line with PAGASA's "Grand Plan" dubbed "10 by 2010," which seeks to have 10 doppler radars installed in various parts of the country by year 2010.
Yumul added that the weather bureau is planning to acquire three more doppler radars to be installed in Virac, Catanduanes; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; and Aparri, Cagayan Valley, which are all currently providing public weather forecast using the surveillance band (S-band) radar capability.
He said that PAGASA is currently "in the middle of a negotiation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)" for the acquisition of the three new doppler radars amounting "close to a billion pesos."
In addition, the three S-band radars would be transferred to Davao, Cagayan de Oro and in Busuanga, Palawan for a much improved weather forecasting capability in southern Philippines.
Meanwhile, the new DoST undersecretary said that the United States and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gave P17 million for the "repair and rehabilitation" of the Laoag upper air observation center in Ilocos Norte this year while P18 million is reserved for the repair of the PAGASA upper - air observation center in Legaspi City.
"So there will be two (upper-air observation centers) working this year," he said.
According to Engr. Catalino "Nonoy" Davis, PAGASA Field Operations chief, PAGASA has a total of six upper-air observation centers stationed in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Legaspi City, Albay; Cebu; Tanay, Rizal; Quezon City and Laoag City.
Plans to upgrade the Baler and Baguio Radar and Synoptic Stations from S-band to doppler radar capability are also being undertaken, Yumul said, adding that the installation of a World Area Forecasting System (WAFS) in Cebu is also being pursued by PAGASA.
"So pag nasira and WAFS in NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) at ang S-band radar in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, it will act as a second line of defense," Yumul said.
DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro earlier said that aside from its other functions, doppler radars have the capability to estimate rainfall so nearby towns and cities will be given sufficient warning against floods.
With its 200-km. range, Yumul added the doppler radars would further enhance the detection of strong winds as well as the velocity and amount of rainfall. Last year, the weather bureau has rehabilitated and upgraded the five S-band radars in Aparri; Virac, Catanduanes; Guiuan; Baler, Aurora and Baguio City.
PAGASA earlier revealed that the above normal amount of rainfall experienced in the country's "Niño" regions is an indication of a possible development of a "weak La Niña."
Yumul said the possible effects of La Niña include too much rain and more, stronger typhoons.
PAGASA Climatology and Agrometeorology chief Dr. Flaviana Hilario had said that if current weather conditions in the country would persist for the next two months, the weather bureau will officially announce the start of a La Niña phenomenon in the country.
The last La Niña phenomenon to hit the country, she said, was from July 1998 up to 2000, adding that the usual duration of the said phenomenon can be experienced from six months to two years.
Bracing for disasters caused by heavy rainfall brought by "La Nina", the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has set a "Grand Plan" which includes the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art weather forecasting equipment in key areas of the country.
La Niña is a weather phenomenon characterized by too much rainfall. It is indicated by cooler than average sea surface temperatures and the persistently stronger than average low-level winds, coupled with above average values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI).
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, newly-appointed Undersecretary for Research and Development (R & D) of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and PAGASA officer-in-charge Dr. Graciano Yumul, Jr. said said two new doppler radars will be installed in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and Tagaytay City within this year.
This, he said, is in line with PAGASA's "Grand Plan" dubbed "10 by 2010," which seeks to have 10 doppler radars installed in various parts of the country by year 2010.
Yumul added that the weather bureau is planning to acquire three more doppler radars to be installed in Virac, Catanduanes; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; and Aparri, Cagayan Valley, which are all currently providing public weather forecast using the surveillance band (S-band) radar capability.
He said that PAGASA is currently "in the middle of a negotiation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)" for the acquisition of the three new doppler radars amounting "close to a billion pesos."
In addition, the three S-band radars would be transferred to Davao, Cagayan de Oro and in Busuanga, Palawan for a much improved weather forecasting capability in southern Philippines.
Meanwhile, the new DoST undersecretary said that the United States and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gave P17 million for the "repair and rehabilitation" of the Laoag upper air observation center in Ilocos Norte this year while P18 million is reserved for the repair of the PAGASA upper - air observation center in Legaspi City.
"So there will be two (upper-air observation centers) working this year," he said.
According to Engr. Catalino "Nonoy" Davis, PAGASA Field Operations chief, PAGASA has a total of six upper-air observation centers stationed in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Legaspi City, Albay; Cebu; Tanay, Rizal; Quezon City and Laoag City.
Plans to upgrade the Baler and Baguio Radar and Synoptic Stations from S-band to doppler radar capability are also being undertaken, Yumul said, adding that the installation of a World Area Forecasting System (WAFS) in Cebu is also being pursued by PAGASA.
"So pag nasira and WAFS in NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) at ang S-band radar in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, it will act as a second line of defense," Yumul said.
DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro earlier said that aside from its other functions, doppler radars have the capability to estimate rainfall so nearby towns and cities will be given sufficient warning against floods.
With its 200-km. range, Yumul added the doppler radars would further enhance the detection of strong winds as well as the velocity and amount of rainfall. Last year, the weather bureau has rehabilitated and upgraded the five S-band radars in Aparri; Virac, Catanduanes; Guiuan; Baler, Aurora and Baguio City.
PAGASA earlier revealed that the above normal amount of rainfall experienced in the country's "Niño" regions is an indication of a possible development of a "weak La Niña."
Yumul said the possible effects of La Niña include too much rain and more, stronger typhoons.
PAGASA Climatology and Agrometeorology chief Dr. Flaviana Hilario had said that if current weather conditions in the country would persist for the next two months, the weather bureau will officially announce the start of a La Niña phenomenon in the country.
The last La Niña phenomenon to hit the country, she said, was from July 1998 up to 2000, adding that the usual duration of the said phenomenon can be experienced from six months to two years.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
9:40 AM
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