No storms but heavy rains signal 'creeping disaster' — DOST

No storm of late has visited the country, but rains up to five times heavier than normal have drenched parts of the country in the past month. Filipinos must then expect more disastrous floods, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Wednesday said. “I think the message that we really want to impart here is that what we are having right now is a creeping disaster," DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. added. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded above-average rainfall in January, director Nathaniel Servando said. He said rains were three times heavier than normal in the cities of Surigao and Hinatuan in the Caraga region. In Catarman and Catbalogan, both in Eastern Samar, rains were heavier by three to almost five times. Yumul attributed the above-average rainfall to La Niña — an abnormal weather pattern that brings about above average rainfall — as well as the scourge of global warming. Palawan should expect bad weather this Thursday and Friday because a low-pressure area would be hovering above it, according to the undersecretary. He added that rains will dampen the summer of 2011 as typhoons heavier than those that crossed the country in 2010 will whip the Philippines this year. — With Paterno Esmaquel/VS, GMANews.TV