Once a tropical depression has intensified to the point
where its maximum sustained winds are between 35-64 knots (39-73 mph), it
becomes a tropical storm. The tropical
storm that recently hit the Philippines is “bagyong Maring”.In the weather
forecast update issued as of 11:00 AM today, the 13th typhoon that entered PAR,
'Bagyong Maring' has a center estimated based on all available data at 270 km
Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (21.3°N, 124.7°E).Typhoon 'Maring' has maximum
wind strength of 55 kph near the center. It moves in East Southeast at 11
kph. Heavy monsoon rains brought by the
typhoon battered the Philippines for four successive days. It also caused massive
flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Reports said that in
food-growing riverside provinces, residents were trapped on rooftops, waded
through the streets or drifted on makeshift rafts. Estimated 2.5 million
Filipinos were affected by the typhoon. Displaced from their homes were some
802,000 people (541,554 families) in 17 provinces. Of the people who lost their
homes, 206,232 (46,276 families) are staying in 769 evacuation centers while
another 595,689 people (132,836 families) reportedly chose to stay with their
relatives or friends.
Such
tragic event didn’t only affect the lives and homes of the Filipinos but it
also affected the economy of the country. Estimated P700 million worth of
agricultural products and infrastructure were destroyed. Damage to crops such
as corn and rice, two days and more than 160 domestic and international flights
at Manila's airports were canceled.
Given this
loses it would be difficult for the Philippines to earn what was lost. The government
should work hard on this matter. All Filipinos should help hand in hand. There
should be less grumbling but more actions of helping. Words can’t do anything
genuine actions can make a change.
Every
Filipino is responsible for what happened. We are agents of global warming that
can cause low pressure in the atmosphere which can then lead to tropical
storms. If we will not do anything about it more storms will hit our country.
In our own simple way, let us practice segregation and resourcefulness. We need
to save our planet first so that we can save our country, save our economy,
save every Filipino, save our future and save our lives. Life is short let us
take our actions now!
Sources:
(http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/stages/ts.rxml
http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2013/08/bagyong-maring-has-intensified-as-it-remained-almost-stationary.html
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/21/1117401/typhoon-triggered-heavy-monsoon-rains-shut-down-manila-surrounding
http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/tropstorm.html
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/473689/maring-toll-21-dead-2-5m-affected-700m-in-damage)
