PAGASA urges proper waste disposal to prevent severe flooding during rainy season

PAGASA on Wednesday advised Filipinos to dispose their waste properly to avoid clogging drains and canals and prevent flooding.

The weather bureau made the reminder during the kick-off for the 2018 Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week, themed "Science and Technology Innovation a way to Typhoon and Flood Risk Reduction."

PAGASA Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente B. Malano opens the presscon for the 2018 Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week.

Made a yearly occasion in 2008, the week hopes to raise public awareness of the hazards posed by typhoons/floods, & how to mitigate damage from seasonal hazards. pic.twitter.com/4XBPzFR35q

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) June 18, 2018

"(Narinig ko) kay Chairman (Danilo) Lim ng [Metro Manila Development Authority], sabi niya isang linggo, nalinis namin 'tong kanal na 'to, pero ganun pa rin karami yung nagiging basura sa ating kanal," PAGASA Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano said in a press briefing.

"Ganun pa rin ang mangyayari kung ang ating kasamahan ay hindi huminto sa pagtatapon ng basura sa kanal, sa estero. Ang disaster risk reduction at management hindi lang trabaho ng isang local government unit, trabaho natin lahat yun," Malano continued.

Before the onset of rainy season, Malano said homeowners should consider the flow of rainwater from their houses.

The local government on the other hand should make sure that the sewage system in their communities can handle the number of people living in them.

"Dapat planuhin kung gaano kalaking drainage, imburnal na ilalagay para yung lahat ma-contain o kayanin ng ating drainage system yung volume na ibabagsak," Malano said.

The public was also advised to heed the flood safety rules issued by the government and other tips provided by other organizations, including GMA News' IM Ready.

Such preparations were necessary as above average rainfall was recorded in the first half of June 2018, and the possible weather systems that may affect the country from June to November.

PAGASA gives a list of weather systems that may affect the Philippines from June to November 2018. pic.twitter.com/xDAiy2IVee

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) June 18, 2018

PAGASA hopes to mitigate possible damages caused by flooding in Metro Manila by utilizing its enhanced Early Warning System to monitor the weather and water levels in crucial areas.

CCTVs were also placed at critical areas, including the Marikina River, San Juan River, La Mesa Dam, People's Park, Tuliahan River, San Mateo, and Ugong, to provide visual information.

New website, more information

Last week, PAGASA launched a new website with a more detailed information on the movement of weather systems around the country.

The enahnced early warning system for flooding will allow laypersons to view PAGASA's data; this can potentially allow residents of easily-flooded areas or places near bodies of water to prepare for floods ahead of time. pic.twitter.com/xT5h7DbMgj

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) June 18, 2018

This was part of PAGASA's preparations for the rainy season, in addition to training its personnel in weather forecasting, and upgrading its weather equipment.

The weather agency stressed that its main contribution is giving information that government agencies can use to aid them with their own preparations.

"Ine-explain namin sa kanila kung gaano kalaki yung posibleng ulan at which areas ang maapektuhan... kung anong areas ang prone to floods and landslides," PAGASA Weather Division Chief Dr. Esperanza Cayanan said.

Proclamation No. 1535 was signed in 2008 to raise awareness of weather-related hazards and how the effects of typhoon and floods can be mitigated to protect the public and the environment. — MDM, GMA News