Philippines: Typhoon Rammasun to hit archipelago Tuesday

Eight months after being pummeled by Super Typhoon Haiyan, the Philippines braces to be hit by yet another typhoon Tuesday. Tropical Storm Rammasun (Glenda) churning in the western Pacific Ocean is forecast to strike the Philippines at about 22:00 GMT on 14 July.

Image/PAGASA

Earlier today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported “Glenda” to be 470 km East Southeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 500 km East of Legazpi city, Albay (12.7ºN, 128.9ºE) with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph with gusts of 140 kph. It is forecast to move West at 30 kph.

The Bicol region, Marinduque and Northern Samar will experience stormy weather while CALABARZON, Mindoro and Romblon will have rains with gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will be rough to very rough. Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to Strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the rest of Luzon and coming from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas.

Trust.org reports, according to the Saffir-Simpson damage scale the potential property damage and flooding from a storm of Rammasun’s strength (category 1) at landfall includes: Storm surge generally 1.2-1.5 metres (4-5 feet) above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. There is also the potential for flooding further inland due to heavy rain.

When crossing the Philippines, Rammasun is expected to weaken due to the interaction with land and will likely be a tropical storm as it emerges into the South China Sea. It will then move across the South China Sea and will begin to make a gradual turn to the northwest, towards the southern coast of China late in the week.

The Philippines is hit by about 20 major storms a year, many of them deadly, and Rammasun will be the first to make landfall since the rainy season began last month.