Floods in parts of RP, Southeast Asia blamed on abnormal weather

The abnormal weather patterns experienced early this month have caused simultaneous flooding in large areas of Luzon, including Calapan City in Mindoro Oriental and Palawan, and neighboring countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration (PAGASA) indicate that the total rainfall from Dec. 1 to 19 reached more than 400 millimeters in the entire eastern seaboard due to the effects of the northeast monsoon, passage of cold fronts and easterly waves.

Vietnam’s coastal provinces were the worst-hit by the floods which caused landslides, while floodwaters in southern Thailand, which have affected one million people, would take at least one month to recede.

Malaysia’s state airport and major highways were also affected by flooding considered the worst in 30 years.

PAGASA chief Nathaniel Cruz said in a report that except for northeastern Luzon and Southern Mindanao, the entire archipelago received above normal rainfall during the period.

In Oriental Mindoro, a recent tropical depression worsened the monsoon rains, causing the province to experience 415 millimeters of rainfall from the normal 129 millimeters, while rainfall over Palawan was over five times the normal level of 90 millimeters at 511 millimeters.