Floods and Typhoons: How Prepared Are We In Coping With "Natural" Disasters?

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Link to this blog post: http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2009/09/floods-and-typhoons-how-prepared-are-we.html



Caption: Unprecented flooding in Katipunan Avenue infront of Ateneo de Manila University... the worst in 20 years. (9/26/09, Photos courtesy of William Yu.)

"Today's flooding is the worst (in the Philippines) in 20 years..."

-- Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA)

This morning, I woke up early to prepare for the Inter-University Programming Contest in Ateneo de Manila University hosted by the Ateneo Computer Society (COMPSAT). I am one of the judges in the contest.

There was a continuous downpour while I was on my was to the university. Later in the morning, I was told that the contest was cancelled due to bad weather.

A tropical storm (typhoon Ondoy) hit the Philippines today and brought heavy rains which caused flooding in Metro Manila and several provinces.

Today's floods are unprecedented. It was our first time to experience flooding at high level in Katipunan Avenue -- right infront of our university.

As of this writing, I am still inside the school, together with many students, faculty and staff who are stranded inside the campus.

Many of my colleagues are also staying inside the university. The university's faculty housing in nearby Marikina valley is already submerged with flood water.

I am one with many others who are wondering why this kind of flooding was not foreseen by the authorities, so that the people would be more prepared in coping with so-called natural disasters.

Is this disaster brought about by climate change?

Is this disaster due to the inadequacy of the Philippine government in ensuring that infrastructures are in place (adequate early warning systems) to counter floods and other disasters?

I hope that our society would be equipped with the necessary technology and infrastructures that could mitigate or prevent disasters such as what we are experiencing now.


Raffy Saldaña
9/16/09