Bagyong Maring

          

                 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)