On Typhoon Ramil

Typhoon Ramil (codename Lupit) changed its course and is now heading to Japan. After it was reduced to tropical storm, it backpedaled from Northern Luzon and is now on the eastern side of Taiwan. The weather bureau should install a “No U-turn” sign board upon its exit from the Philippines area of responsibility!

*DOST-PAGASA MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for
5 a.m. 25 Oct. 2009

Prayers from the Northern Luzon folks stopped Typhoon Ramil! This weather disturbance, as we can see from the trace of its path, suddenly turned around when it was about to touchdown near Aparri, Cagayan. It is like a vulture ready to grab its prey when it aborted its flight, abandoning its mission of spreading havocs and devastations, and swerved to its opposite direction… fearing for its own life! Unlike tropical cyclones Pepeng (Parma) and Andoy (Ketsana) which gobbled all its victims to helplessness and left the country gasping for breath. Typhoon Ramil was prevented by unknown forces of nature which the folks have been praying for days. Yes, Northern Luzon was spared this time and ‘hope there will be no more about-face when it veered away to Japan.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) synopsis reported yesterday that:

“At 4:00 p.m., today, Tropical Storm "RAMIL" (LUPIT) {0920} was located based on satellite and surface data at 425 kms Northeast of Basco, Batanes (22.8°N, 125.9°E) with maximum winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120kph. It is forecast to move Northeast at 15 kph.”

 PAGASA further reported that there will be improved weather conditions and the country will be free from weather disturbance for at least in the next two or three days. However, satellite video from other weather station shows that low pressure area is developing not so very far on the southeastern side of the Philippines.

Nothing we can do but pray and wish that the cold wind from Siberia will dampen any unpredictable stormy weather from the Pacific Ocean and save us from harm and widespread destruction as we have experienced. Victims of Typhoon Ondoy are still wading by the sides of Laguna de Bay!