Latest news with #TropicalStorm
GMA Network
an hour ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Emong intensifies as 3 areas under Signal No.3; Dante maintains strength
Severe Tropical Storm Emong moving southwestward over the sea west of the Ilocos Region with Signal No. 3 raised over two areas while Tropical Storm Dante maintains its strength with no signals raised, according to the 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA. The center of the Emong was estimated at 245 kilometers eest of Bacnotan, La Union packing maximum winds of 110 kilometers per hour, gustiness of up to 135 kph and moving southwestward at the speed of 25 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is hoisted over the following areas: the northern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani) the western portion of La Union (Luna, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando, Bauang, Caba) TCWS Signal No. 2 is raised over the following areas: Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur the rest of La Union the western portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao, Calanasan) Abra Kalinga Mountain Province Ifugao Benguet the central portion of Pangasinan (Agno, Burgos, Mabini, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Bugallon, Infanta, Dasol, Lingayen, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Manaoag, Laoac, Binalonan, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Pozorrubio, Sison, San Fabian, San Jacinto), the western portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Santa Fe) TCWS No. 1 is raised over the following areas: Batanes Cagayan including Babuyan Islands the western and central portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Mallig, Quirino, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, San Mateo, Ramon, Cordon, Burgos, Cabatuan, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Gamu, Luna, Maconacon, Alicia, San Mariano, Naguilian, San Guillermo, City of Cauayan, Echague, Ilagan City, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, Divilacan, San Isidro, Jones) the rest of Nueva Vizcaya Quirino the rest of Apayao the rest of Pangasinan the northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan) Tarlac the western and central portions of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Talugtug, Cuyapo, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Llanera, Talavera, Santo Domingo, Quezon, Licab, Aliaga, Zaragoza, San Antonio, Jaen, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, Bongabon, Laur) Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dante maintains its strength as it continues to move northwestward towards Ryukyu Islands. The center of Tropical Storm Dante was estimated at 790 kilometers east Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 994 hPa. Dante is moving north northwestward at the speed of 15 kph. There will be strong to gale-force winds that extend outwards up to 550 km, but there are no wind signals currently raised. Enhanced Southwest Monsoon PAGASA reported that the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds): Metro Manila, the rest of Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, and Davao Oriental. A Gale Warning is in effect over the western seaboards of Luzon, the state weather bureau added. "Emong is forecast to move generally southeastward before turning north northeastward in the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, Emong may pass close to Pangasinan this afternoon and may make landfall over Ilocos Region tonight or tomorrow early morning. After traversing the Northern Luzon, the center of EMONG will re-emerge over the Luzon Strait and may pass close to Babuyan Islands," PAGASA said. "Emong intensified into a severe tropical storm at 2:00 AM today. Further intensification into typhoon is possible prior to its landfall," the agency added.
an hour ago
- Climate
'Science just isn't there yet' to predict severity of storms that caused deadly Texas flooding, meteorologist says
The severity of the flash flooding that killed more than 130 people in Texas's Hill Country was difficult to predict because the science is not yet available, a local meteorologist testified during Wednesday's special legislative session. The "prolific" flooding was made possible by the moisture leftover from Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall on the east coast of Mexico on June 29, Pat Cavlin, a meteorologist at Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, said during Wednesday's session. The moisture then moved up to Texas and interacted with a slow-moving batch of storms over the middle of the state, combining over "one of the worst parts of the state when it comes to flash flooding events," Calvin said. Texas Hill Country is often colloquially referred to as "Flash Flood Alley" because the weather and landscape in the south-central Texas region work together to produce rapid flood events, according to the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI). What made the situation unique was the presence of a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) -- "basically a mini area of low pressure" -- that was slow-moving and stationary over Central Texas at the time of the torrential rains that caused the flash flooding, according to Calvin. While meteorologists knew that the MCV would be in the area about 12 to 18 hours before the event unfolded, the amount of heavy rain that would be produced was not clear until just hours before Guadalupe River flooded, Calvin said. Meteorologists began issuing alerts on July 3 that indicated there was cause for concern about the potential flooding that would take place within the next 24 hours. Throughout the day, multiple National Weather Service (NWS) offices responsible for forecasting conditions in that region were highlighting in various forecast alerts and warnings that there was an elevated risk for flash flooding in south-central Texas due to the current weather pattern in place. On the morning of July 3, the NWS Weather Prediction Center (WPC) upgraded the portion of south-central Texas, including Kerr County and surrounding areas. At 1:18 p.m. on July 3, a Flood Watch was issued by the NWS Austin/San Antonio office, including Kerr County and surrounding areas through Friday morning. That alert mentioned that local heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding in the region, with isolated amounts of 5 inches to 7 inches possible, adding that "excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations." At 6:10 p.m., the WPC highlighted the south-central Texas region, including Hill Country, as an area of increasing concern for slow-moving, training thunderstorms, or rounds of thunderstorms that remain in the same area, with the potential for rainfall rate exceeding 3 inches per hour into the evening hours and beyond. The first flash flooding warning was issued at 1 a.m. on July 4 as thunderstorms began to roll in. At 4:03 a.m., a "rare" flash flood emergency warning was issued -- indicating an imminent, ongoing threat to life and public property. Around 4:20 a.m., the Guadalupe River hit a major flood stage, Calvin said. While flash flood warnings are common in the region, flash flood emergencies are not, he added. "This is an extreme event," Calvin said. "It's a freak event, really." Calvin noted that scientific and technological limitations make predicting a storm of this magnitude challenging. "The science just isn't there yet," he said. "We are not at a point yet where we can identify where these individual pockets that lead to this life-threatening flash flooding can happen until pretty much it's starting to happen." The deadly flooding over the Fourth of July weekend killed at least 136 people, including dozens of girls at Camp Mystic, situated on the Guadalupe River, Texas officials announced on Wednesday. Four people remain missing -- include one adult male and one girl from Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips is among the missing, and another person from Travis County, Abbott said. Lawmakers filled House Bill 165 on Tuesday, which aims to create a model guide for local officials to follow regarding disaster response and recovery. The bill addresses contracting for debris removal; obtaining federal disaster funding; determining availability and construction of short-term and long-term housing and obtaining assistance from volunteer organizations. Abbott called the special session in the wake of the flooding. "We must ensure better preparation in the future," Abbott said in a statement. The special session is scheduled to last for 30 days. Other items on the agenda for the special legislative session include a congressional redistricting plan, which could create more seats for Republicans, and a second attempt at regulating THC, the psychoactive compound found marijuana.
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Over 41,000 families in Calumpit affected by floods
More than 41,000 families in Calumpit, Bulacan are affected by the floods caused by the nonstop rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat and Tropical Storm Emong. According to Nico Waje's report in 'Saksi' on Wednesday, residents find ways to perform their day-to-day activities despite the situation. In Barangay Calizon, residents brave the floods just to get free sacks of rice and other aid from the local government. 'Medyo hirap ngayon dahil maraming hindi nakakapaghanap-buhay, kaya medyo hirap ang Barangay Calizon,' said Councilor Jonjon Gonzales. But there are some who cannot afford to be absent in their work and they wade through flooded streets. 'Ngayon ang pasok ko ay alas otso. Kailangan maaga akong makaalis para may masakyan pa po,' said factory worker Emmanuel Salonga. (Today I have work at eight. I need to leave early so I can catch a ride.) The town of Calumpit does not easily get flooded even when the Pampanga River is on high tide. But the water level rises when both the Ipo and Bustos dams release water, the report said. The flood is also an inconvenience to those who are in need of medical treatment such as Monico Esponilla, who has to bring his wife to her sibling's house for an easier travel so she can have dialysis treatment. 'Yung misis ko dina-dialysis tatlong beses sa isang linggo. Kaya nilipat ko rito kasi bukas, alas kwatro y medya, punta kami sa ospital,' he said. (My wife is on dialysis three times a week. So I moved her here because tomorrow, at four-thirty, we're going to the hospital.) The Calumpit government is now asking the national government to help them address the flooding in the town. 'Dito po sa amin sa pamahalaang bayan ng Calumpit, sa lokal, ang magagawa po namin is magkaroon po kami ng pumping station. Pero kailangan namin ng tulong ng nation, especially ng DPWH, para makulong ang kailogan namin. Kasi kapag nakulong ang kailogan namin, pwede tayo maglagay ng pumping stations,' said Mayor Lem Faustino. (Here in the Calumpit municipal government, locally, all we can do is have a pumping station. But we need the help of the nation, especially the DPWH, to contain our water from the river. Because when the water from our river is contained, we can put up pumping stations.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Tropical Storm Wipha makes landfall in Vietnam amid heavy rains in Philippines
Wipha hit the northern Vietnamese provinces of Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa today with wind speeds of up to 74kph. (AP pic) HANOI : Tropical Storm Wipha weakened after making landfall in northern Vietnam today, with authorities on alert due to heavy rains that could cause flooding and mudslides, as the Philippines struggled with monsoon downpours that began last week. Wipha hit the northern provinces of Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa early this afternoon with wind speeds of up to 74kph, slowing from around 100kph on its approach, the national weather forecasting agency said. With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that are often deadly and Wipha is the first major storm to hit this year. Heavy rains of up to 50cm were forecast to continue until tomorrow morning, and authorities warned people to watch out for landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in urban areas. Around 350,000 soldiers were put on standby. Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh had put coastal provinces on emergency footing as Wipha neared, with residents nervous after the devastation of Typhoon Yagi, which last year killed around 300 people and caused US$3.3 billion of damage. 'I have learnt from last year's mistakes, when we underestimated Yagi,' Ngo Van Thuong, a 40-year-old warehouse manager in Ha Long City, told Reuters as the storm neared. 'Doorways and roofs are places that need more attention, and, since yesterday, I have also put sandbags on top of the roof,' Thuong said. A fishing boat in Quang Ninh province capsized early today, but all nine of the fishermen on board were saved, the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper reported. Airlines cancelled and rescheduled dozens of flights, and some airport, port and train services were suspended, though state media reported that airports in Quang Ninh and Haiphong had resumed operations this afternoon. Photos on state media showed empty streets in the capital Hanoi, where many workplaces were closed today, including the US embassy. 'We haven't forgotten about Yagi, and have taken extra measures to cope with Wipha,' said a resident of Cat Ba Island in Haiphong. Flooding, closures in Philippines In the Philippines, Wipha has intensified already torrential monsoon rains, triggering knee to waist-deep flooding across parts of the country and forcing a second day of school closures, flight cancellations and the suspension of government work. Thousands of families remain in evacuation centres as relentless rains, which swept through the country's north last week, continue to batter the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, currently on an official visit to the US, said government agencies had been mobilised to provide assistance. 'Relief goods are ready and are being delivered to affected areas, along with medical teams,' Marcos said in a recorded message. 'We're ensuring transport, electricity, and water supplies are stable for those affected.' On Sunday, Wipha, then at full typhoon strength, barrelled across Hong Kong and southern China. As the storm passed Hong Kong, more than 110mm of rain fell within three hours and maximum wind gusts exceeded 167kph at some points, prompting authorities to issue their highest storm warning.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Heavy storms in northern Vietnam leave 1 dead, as Wipha weakens into a tropical depression
HANOI: Heavy storms in northern Vietnam left one person dead and another missing, police said Wednesday, as Wipha weakened from a tropical storm into a depression. A 59-year-old man was killed in Nghe An province when a tree fell on his house on Sunday before the storm made landfall, police said. Nghe An, which stretches from the coast to the mountainous Laos border, was among the areas hit hardest by heavy rain and floods. Another woman was swept away by floodwaters and remains missing. Four other people were injured. Flooding damaged hundreds of homes, destroyed crops and cut off remote communities, officials said. Nearly 400 households were evacuated from the province's landslide-prone areas, and several upland communities remain isolated without electricity or communication, officials said. Heavy rains triggered landslides that damaged roads, collapsed part of a school building and destroyed crops and forest. The storm made landfall Tuesday morning with sustained winds of up to 102 kilometers per hour (63 mph) before weakening as it moved inland. It caused power outages, disrupted farming operations and forced temporary airport closures in northern provinces. In neighboring Thailand, heavy rain from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning triggered flooding in several northern provinces, swelling rivers and inundating homes. Authorities said more than 350 people were affected, though no casualties have been reported. They warned of possible flash floods and landslides.
