The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) thru the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has announced the revised public storm warning system and an updated classification of tropical cyclones to media practitioners and Information Officers on April 27, 2016 here.
During the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Media and Information Officers Caravan of the Office of Civil Defense 1, Engr. Gregorio de Vera II, Chief Meteorological Officer of DOST-PAGASA in Dagupan said, the Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 5 has been added to the state weather bureau’s public storm warning signal.
The following wind velocities are expected in the succeeding storm signals to include PSWS No. 1: tropical cyclone winds of 30 to 60 kph are expected within the next 24 hours; PSWS No. 2: tropical cyclone winds of 61 to 120 kph are expected within the next 24 hours; PSWS No. 3: tropical cyclone winds of 121 to 170 kph are expected within the next 18 hours; PSWS No. 4: tropical cyclone winds of 171 to 220 kph are expected within the next 12 hours and PSWS No. 5: tropical cyclone winds of more than 220 kph are expected within 12 hours.
De Vera stressed that PAGASA has revised the PSWS because tropical cyclones have become more intense recently.
Furthermore, the weather bureau also updated its tropical cyclone classification system, which took effect last year. Tropical cyclones are now classified in four categories namely Tropical Depression (TD), Severe Tropical Storm (STS), Typhoon (TY) and Super Typhoon (STY).
A TD has maximum sustained winds of up to 61 kilometers per hour (kph), while TS will have sustained winds of 62 to 88 kph. A TY, on the other hand, has wind speeds ranging from 118, to 220 kph, while STY will have sustained winds of at least 220 kph.
De Vera thus, reminded and urged the media practioners to help in the dissemination of any disaster related occurrence to the public and undertake precautionary measures before, during and after typhoon to protect the people from hazards.
