PAGASA: Chedeng may not be as destructive as Ondoy

Despite gathering strength, tropical storm Chedeng may not inflict as much devastation as the unprecedented Ondoy, a state forecaster said Tuesday, The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGSA) expects Chedeng to produce heavy rainfall at the rate of 35 millimeters per hour (mmph), said PAGASA senior weather specialist Rene Paciente in a live interview on GMA News’ “24 Oras." In contrast, Paciente said Ondoy inundated parts of Luzon by dumping 55 mmph of water in September 2009. “Ang problema lang ang Ondoy ay tumama sa Metro Manila na maraming bahay, maraming tao, kaya maraming devastation," said Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul at a press briefing in Malacañang Tuesday. Some 400 people were killed and P20 billion worth of properties were damaged when Ondoy hit Metro Manila two years ago. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/201989/nation/ondoy-survivors-recall-tragedy-with-grief-hope In the “24 Oras" interview, Paciente said PAGASA might elevate Chedeng to a super typhoon with winds of up to 200 to 210 kilometers per hour, noting that the tropical storm is gathering more strength over the Pacific Ocean. Enhancing the monsoon Yumul said the storm is expected to follow the track of Bebeng, which affected parts of the Visayas region earlier this month. “[Chedeng] will literally enhance the southwest monsoon so that means the Western part of the Philippines will also be wet for the simple reason that… as Chedeng is going upward it will actually be enhancing the southwest monsoon,’" he said. PAGASA expects the following areas to be affected by Chedeng:

• Western Mindanao
• Sultan Kudarat
• Sarangani
• Lanao
• Misamis
• Negros Oriental
• Antique
• Mindoro
• Palawan
• Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon)
• Bataan
• Zambales
• Metro Manila

When Chedeng approaches Samar and Bicol by Wednesday, Yumul said it will enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring rains to western Mindanao and Negros Occidental. Panay, Palawan, and Mindoro will likely experience heavy downpour due to the southwest monsoon when Chedeng passes by the provinces of Aurora, Quezon, and Quirino, according to the state forecaster. He added that when Chedeng makes landfall in Isabela, Cagayan the southwest monsoon will likely affect the National Capital Region, Bataan, Zambales, and Calabarzon. “We expect Metro Manila to be wet by Friday evening, all the way to Sunday," Yumul said. Preparing for Chedeng Earlier on Tuesday, Malacañang issued an appeal to people who live in low-lying and landslide prone areas to evacuate immediately when asked by authorities. PAGASA has informed local government units of the top three causes of death during storms and typhoons, landslides, drowning, and electrocution, Yumul said. “So, our local officials can use this for risk avoidance management." — PE/VS, GMA News