Strongest Typhoons that Visited the Philippines

The Philippines, a small archipelago in the Southeast Asia with the Pacific Ocean on its east is said to be lying on the typhoon belt. The country is visited by many typhoons all year round, averaging at 20.This time, super typhoon Megi, one of the strongest in the world, visited the country.

The deadliest and strongest typhoons categorized by the Philippine weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) as super typhoons pass by during the September-December typhoon season. This is most unfortunate because it coincides with harvesting season in many parts.

In September of 2009, the Philippines was devastated by a typhoon locally named “Ondoy” (International name: Ketsana) which dumped four months worth of rain within 12 hours affecting many areas in Luzon specifically Metro Manila. Flash floods wrought havoc to this city causing 464 deaths and damaging properties worth millions. The accompanying flash floods caught many people especially in Metro Manila unprepared.

The capital of the Philippines, Metro Manila remained under flood waters, with communications and electricity remained down for days, and even weeks in certain flood-prone areas.

It was a horrible experience for city residents whose houses were under floodwaters for many days, some lost loved ones but it also became the opportunity for may people in the Philippines and across the globe to open their generous hearts and extend help to those badly affected by Ondoy.

The devastation has not only claimed many lives, it also revealed the government’s ill-preparedness and the lack of a concrete plan in the event of such disasters and this has prompted calls from different sectors fora more reliable and responsive disaster preparedness planning. The Ondoy experience made Christmas bleak for most who have lost a close relative, property and living.

This time, the Northern, Eastern and Central part of the Philippines has once again face the wrath of another super typhoon, as it crosses the eye of super typhoon Juan (international name: Megi). With wind speed topping at 260 kph near the center ,it is expected to bring destruction to property, animals and crops as it harvesting season in the vast rice lands in these parts of the country. As ofPAG-ASA briefing last Monday, Typhoon Juan has left land.

Typhoon Juan cause many parts of Isabela, a province lying in the northeastern part of Luzon, isolated while many residents in the area need water, food and medicine. The Philippinegovernment has been aggressively doing its part days before in a desperate move to prepare and evacuate people from dangerous areas set to be hit by the Typhoon Juan.

December 2011

In the night of December 16 this year, a few days before Christmas, heavy rains started pouring in the southern provinces brought by Typhoon Sendong. Many residents who were still sleeping during the wee hours of December 17 were caught unaware of the rising floods racing through the city. The flash floods carrying mud, logs and other debris swept houses, properties and claimed the lives of more that 1000 people and hundreds are still missing. Most badly hit were Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Negros.