Color-coded alerts to be implemented nationwide

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila residents received color-coded rainfall alerts yesterday from the state weather bureau as heavy rains resumed in the afternoon: yellow before 2 p.m., and red in the evening.

Within the year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will use the color-coded rainfall warning system nationwide to help communities prepare for upcoming disasters.

The site-specific rainfall warning, which was launched in June this year, is currently used only in Metro Manila.

PAGASA categorizes heavy rainfall warning into three: yellow (advisory), green (alert), and red (emergency).

A yellow warning is raised when the expected rainfall is from 7.5 to 15 millimeters within one hour and likely to continue.

Under yellow warning, communities are advised to be aware of the weather condition and warned that flooding may be possible in low-lying areas.

PAGASA raises the green alert in areas where rainfall is between 15 mm to 30 mm within one hour. Flooding is a definite threat in communities under green alert.

The agency issues a red alert when downpours constitute an emergency or when observed rainfall is more than 30 mm within one hour or if rainfall has continued for the past three hours and is more than 65 mm.

Ma. Cecilia Monteverde of PAGASA said the project is being piloted in Metro Manila to address the perennial flood problems besetting the metropolis.