No rainy season yet – PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines - The rainy season has yet to start despite the thunderstorms over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon in recent weeks, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the wet season – associated with the southwest monsoon – normally starts between the second half of May and first week of June.

The agency, however, warned the public against the  occurrence of tornadoes brought by intense thunderstorms this May.

The bureau said tornadoes usually occur during late afternoon due to hot weather from morning until early afternoon.

“Tornadoes can uproot trees and demolish buildings,” PAGASA said.

A tornado struck five barangays in Paniqui, Tarlac last Friday, destroying at least 49 houses and damaging 205 others.

The tornado affected some 254 families or 1,095 residents of Barangays Ventinilla, Cabayaosan, Tablang, Salumague, and Nancamarinan, according to the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council.   

PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando earlier said tornadoes often form over flat terrain when humid air interacts with upward moving air.

He said tornadoes in the Philippines are not as intense as those in the United States.