STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Pangasinan is urging the public to familiarize themselves with tropical cyclone classifications to enhance preparedness and avoid confusion during severe weather conditions.
Tropical cyclones are warm-core low-pressure systems that form over oceans, and once they move inland, they often cause significant destruction.
“A typhoon begins as a low pressure area (LPA) and goes through several stages before it intensifies into a full-blown typhoon,” Vincent Chiu, operations head of Pangasinan PDRRMO, said during the Pantongtongan Tayo virtual presser of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Pangasinan.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), tropical cyclones are classified into five categories based on their wind speeds.
A Tropical Depression (TD), the weakest type of tropical cyclone, has maximum winds of up to 62 kilometers per hour (kph) or less than 34 nautical miles per hour (knots) but can still bring heavy rains and strong winds.
As a TD intensifies, it can become a Tropical Storm (TS) with winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph or 34 to 47 knots, causing more widespread flooding and damage.
The TS can then intensify into a Severe Tropical Storm (STS) with winds of 87 to 117 kph or 48 to 63 knots or into a Typhoon (TY) with winds ranging from 118 to 184 kph or 64 to 99 knots, leading to significant damage.
Beyond this, a TY can further strengthen into a Super Typhoon (STY), with maximum winds exceeding 185 kph or more than 100 knots, resulting in catastrophic damage, widespread devastation, and extremely dangerous conditions.
Given these risks, Chiu stressed that understanding the classification of tropical cyclones will help residents better assess the potential dangers and take appropriate actions when warnings are issued.
Also, he emphasized that preparation should not be delayed, as it can save lives and minimize property damage.
“Many are questioning why there is a ‘signal number’ when the weather is still sunny. PAGASA, when issuing a Typhoon Category Wind Signal (TCWS), even for Signal No. 1, gives us time to prepare for the approaching storm. So, we should not be surprised if there is a signal issued even though the weather seems clear,” Chiu explained, adding that preparation cannot be done only when the storm is already here.
As of 4:00 p.m. on November 13, no TCWS has been raised in the province of Pangasinan as TY Ofel (international name: Usagi) approaches.
Nonetheless, the public is still advised to remain vigilant for TY Ofel and the new storm, which is forecasted to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Nov. 14 and will be named Pepito (international name: Man-Yi).
Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to prepare for potential flooding and follow local advisories regarding evacuation and precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, the Pangasinan PDRRMO assured residents that they are monitoring the situation closely.
Their search and rescue team, water assets, and emergency vehicles are on standby, ready to respond quickly if necessary.
Likewise, Chiu urged residents to stay connected and save the emergency hotlines of their respective municipalities or cities for quicker emergency response.
He also advised the public to stay informed about weather updates through television, radio, and social media platforms, including the Pangasinan PDRRMO’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PangasinanPDRRMO. (AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
