PAGASA: 1-2 more cyclones possible in September

After enduring heavy rain from annular typhoon Karen (Sanba), the Philippines may have to brace for one to two more cyclones passing through the Philippine Area of Responsibility this month, PAGASA said Monday.

 

PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said the coming cyclones may be nastier and are likely to make landfall over the Philippines this time.

 

"Sa September two to three ang dadaan sa atin. Sa October two to three, sa November mas kaunti na," Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Enriquez said the Philippines was lucky annular typhoon Karen did not make landfall on the country, though it enhanced the southwest monsoon that dumped rain on parts of the country.

 

Last weekend, Metro Manila and nearby provinces were swamped in floods caused by heavy rain.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had said at least one died in the wake of bad weather conditions brought by Karen.

 

"Kalimitan suwerte na hindi dumaan sa atin si Karen. Ang track dadaan talaga, landfalling talaga sila. Buti na rin [hindi nag-landfall] dahil tadtad tayo ng kalamidad," Enriquez said.

 

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon may affect the Philippines until September, and transition to the amihan (northeast monsoon) by the second week of October.

 

PAGASA earlier issued names for tropical cyclones that may form in or pass through the Philippine Area of Responsibility for 2012:

 

 

–A. M. Marzoña/KG, GMA News