2 more storms coming this year

MANILA, Philippines - Up to two more tropical cyclones are likely to hit the country before the year ends, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday.

Pagasa deputy administrator Nathaniel Cruz said tropical cyclones during the last quarter of the year are usually intense and affect either Bicol or eastern Visayas.

Cruz said so far, 20 tropical cyclones have entered the country this year.

Successive weather disturbances in the past two months left scores of people dead and brought huge damage to agriculture.

Last weekend, typhoon “Santi” (international name Mirinae) hit southern Luzon and Bicol.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said as of yesterday, the death toll from Santi rose to 29. while damage to property reached P500 million.

Meanwhile, Filipinos can expect no storm this weekend.

But Pagasa said there might still be some rains brought about by the northeast monsoon in Luzon and Visayas.

A wind convergence would also affect Mindanao, bringing cloudy skies and rain showers, it said. -- Helen Flores