PAGASA asked to identify areas that need rainfall gauges

CEBU, Philippines - With the advent of the rainy season, Board Member Victor Maambong wants the Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration to identify areas in the province that need to be provided with rainfall gauges, the instrument used by meteorologists to gather and measure liquid precipitation. 

Maambong said he will ask PAGASA Regional Division Chief Oscar Tabada to identify the areas during the next session of the Provincial Board so that the province can act on the concern accordingly.

Maambong said rainfall gauges allow the public to be alerted against possible rise in floodwaters and landslides so that evacuation measures can be easily put in place to minimize, if not avoid, death and destruction.

“Every May to July of the year, the Philippines is visited by five to six tropical cyclones whose toll in lives and properties area a constant source of concern by both the national and local governments,” Maambong said.

In anticipation of storms in the coming months, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the installation of rainfall gauges, particularly in landslide-prone areas.

Arroyo also urged local government executives to coordinate with PAGASA for the acquisition of the instrument.

So far, two mining companies in Cebu will be installing rain gauges in their respective sites, which would enable them to warn areas around their sites of potential landslides, flooding, and other geological hazards.

Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City and Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Dolomite Mining Corporation in Alcoy town are among six mining companies in Central Visayas to employ the facility with the help of PAGASA.

PAGASA is tasked to train personnel of the mining companies on the proper installation and maintenance of rainfall measuring apparatus, site selection and gathering of rainfall data. PAG-ASA would also validate the data gathered. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)