RECORD RAINFALL. Larry Esperanza, chief meteorological officer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Baguio, says on Wednesday (Aug. 2, 2023) the amount of rainfall in July was recorded at 1,091 millimeters, exceeding the 30-year average for July. From 1991 to 2020, the city has recorded an average rainfall of 772 mm. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – The state-run weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said this city has received 1,091 millimeters of rainfall in July, higher than the city's 30-year average rainfall for July.
“Nakapag record tayo ng 1,091.8 noong July at ang normal ay 772.7 mm, ibig sabihin above normal ang rainfall natin dahil may dalawang bagyo tayong dumaan (We recorded 1,091.8 mm this July compared to our normal of 772.7 which is above the normal because of the two tropical cyclones that we experienced),” Larry Esperanza, chief meteorological officer of the PAGASA-Baguio, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.
The 30-year average rainfall in the city for July - from 1991 to 2020 - is 772 mm.
Super Typhoon Egay drenched the northern provinces of the country, including this city, and caused landslides and floods from July 25 to 27.
“Sa tatlong araw na yun, nakapagtala tayo ng total na 705 mm. na halos record na ng buong buwan (We recorded a total of 705 mm. during the three days which is almost the record for the whole month),” Esperanza said.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Falcon, which came after Egay, dumped 63.2 mm. of rain, even as effects of the southwest monsoon persisted.
Esperanza said the amount of rainfall increased the risk of landslides in identified landslide-prone areas, specifically the mountainous areas like the Cordillera.
Baguio City is located in the middle of Benguet province where a majority of highland vegetables for the country’s supply are produced.
Esperanza advised the public to stay dry and avoid leaving the house if they do not have anything important to do outside.
He said the public living in areas identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as landslide -prone should evacuate if they observe anything that may endanger them.
“Kung alam nila na medyo delikado ang kanilang lugar, lumikas na sila. Kung may alam sila na kamag-anak o kaibigan na safe ang bahay, pumunta muna sila doon (If they think that they are in danger in their location, they should evacuate to the houses of their relatives living in safer places),” the weather specialist said. (PNA)
