12-11-2024 (MANILA) The Philippines is preparing for yet another weather system as Tropical Storm Ofel approaches its northeastern shores, marking the fifth significant storm to threaten the archipelago in just three weeks.
The announcement comes as the nation recovers from Typhoon Nika, which recently moved out to sea after weakening, causing minimal damage and no reported casualties. However, more than 15,000 people remain in evacuation centres as a precautionary measure.
The national weather agency has issued fresh warnings as Ofel, currently packing winds of 75 kilometres per hour, is expected to make landfall on Thursday. Forecasters predict the storm will intensify into a typhoon before reaching the coast, prompting authorities to advise small vessels against venturing out to sea.
This latest weather system follows a devastating sequence of storms, including Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Typhoon Marce, and Super Typhoon Leon, which collectively claimed 159 lives. The majority of casualties occurred during Kristine’s passage, which triggered catastrophic floods and landslides.
Relief efforts are still underway from Nika’s impact, with utility crews working to restore electricity to 29 affected towns and cities, repair damaged infrastructure, and clear debris-blocked roads. While schools in nearly 600 communities are resuming classes, authorities are already preparing for Ofel’s arrival, having previously evacuated over 32,000 people during Nika’s approach.
Adding to the nation’s weather concerns, meteorologists are monitoring Tropical Storm Man-yi near the Northern Mariana Islands, which could potentially affect the Philippines next week. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms in the region has been linked to climate change, with recent studies indicating that Asia-Pacific storms are forming closer to coastlines and lasting longer over land.
The Philippines typically experiences approximately 20 major storms annually, contributing to ongoing economic challenges for millions of its citizens.
