The province of Batanes, still recovering from the devastation of Typhoon Julian in September and Typhoon Leon in October, is once again preparing for the impending impact of Typhoon Marce.
Various towns in the province are making their own preparations.
Assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been delivered to the six affected towns in Batanes using Coast Guard ships.
Meanwhile, in Calayan, Cagayan, where the typhoon’s eye is expected to come close, preparations are also underway.
The rescue equipment for Pamplona’s operations is ready.
The Quick Response Team’s rescue equipment from Task Force Lingkod Cagayan is also set.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Cordillera is now on red alert, with the entire region under Charlie Protocol, or high risk.
However, beyond preparation, there are concerns that Typhoon Marce may worsen the damage left by Typhoons Kristine and Leon.
According to Frankie Cortez, Spokesperson at OCD – Cordillera, “We still need to enhance our response because of the effects of Kristine and Leon. We expect torrential rain.”
If the typhoon’s path does not change, the OCD and DSWD estimate that 51,900 people in Cordillera could be affected.
Apayao has the largest potential impact, with 48,900 people, followed by Abra with 3,000.
To be safe, DSWD has prepared over 64,000 family food packs for distribution to affected residents.
Aside from this, the rain brought by the typhoon is also being monitored.
“We’re monitoring for possible torrential rains from Typhoon Marce, and we’re still considering the likelihood that it could pass through the Cordillera’s center, similar to Typhoon Kristine, as indicated by our models for Ompong and Rosita,” Cortez assured.
One factor affecting the typhoon’s movement is the high-pressure area or strong northern winds, which push the typhoon’s path.
“If there’s a high-pressure area above, the typhoon won’t be able to cross because it avoids high pressure; the typhoon moves toward areas with low pressure,” said Mar Josef Santos, Weather Observer I at DOST – PAGASA Baguio Synoptic Section.
Another reason for the typhoon’s intensification is La Niña or the cooling of the Pacific Ocean.
In Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recent forecasts, the peak or surge of La Niña is expected in October and November.
However, PAGASA’s La Niña watch has not yet declared the country to be experiencing La Niña.
This is because the Pacific Ocean has only cooled by 0.5 degrees Celsius.
But it’s close to 1 degree Celsius, which signals the peak, so the country hasn’t fully felt La Niña yet.
This means that the peak of La Niña could be felt from November to December until January 2025.
**CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
