High sulfur dioxide emissions cause volcanic smog over Taal

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Sep 22, 2023 09:25 AM

  

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IP camera images of Taal Volcano taken at 8 a.m. (left), 12:30 p.m. (middle), and 5:30 p.m. (right) from the Cuenca Observation Station (VTCU), with initially thin volcanic smog or vog thickening throughout Thursday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2023. (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)

The ongoing unrest at Taal Volcano, which is characterized by high sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, is causing volcanic smog, or “vog,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday, Sept. 22.

Phivolcs detected 4,569 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions during a 24-hour observation of the active volcano in Batangas, which produced significant volcanic smog.

This is slightly higher than the 4,322 tons recorded on Thursday, Sept. 21.

In an advisory on Thursday, Phivolcs said it has observed a “large cloud of SO2 over and stretching west of Taal Lake.”

“Vog has been affecting the Taal Region since the first week of September 2023 as an average of 3,402 tons per day of SO2 has been degassed from Taal Volcano for the month,” it said.

‘Vog’ threats

“As a reminder, vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as SO2, which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract with severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure,” Phivolcs explained. 

“People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children,” it added.

Phivolcs advised those vulnerable to vog to limit their exposure by avoiding outdoor activities, staying indoors, and closing doors and windows to block out vog.

Residents were also advised to cover their noses, “ideally with an N95 facemask.”

“Drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction. If belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people above, watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed, especially if serious effects are experienced,” Phivolcs said.

It also warned that acid rain could be produced during periods of rainfall and volcanic gas emission over areas where the plume disperses, causing crop damage and corroding metal roofs on houses and buildings.

Alert Level 1 remains 

Taal Volcano remains on Alert Level 1, which means it is still experiencing a "low-level unrest," Phivolcs said.

Under Alert Level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas are possible and could endanger areas on Taal Volcano Island (TVI).

Phivolcs emphasized that entry into TVI, Taal's permanent danger zone, must be strictly prohibited, particularly in the vicinity of the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

 BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

  

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PAGASA warns of possible flooding as Ipo Dam prepares to release water

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) urged residents near the Angat River to prepare for possible flooding as the Ipo Dam is set to release water on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 31.

“The water level of Ipo Dam as of 10 a.m. was 101.13 meters and continuously rising due to the expected rains caused by the current weather systems. With this development, Ipo Dam will conduct spilling operations, with one spillway gate to open at 3 p.m., with an initial discharge of 61 cms (cubic meters per second),” PAGASA said in its flood advisory issued on Thursday.

Rains from the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” caused the water level in Ipo Dam to rise. 

PAGASA urged residents living in low-lying areas and near the riverbanks of the Angat River in Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Paombong, and Hagonoy in Bulacan to be vigilant as the river’s level may rise.

Goring’ nears exit; another storm to enter PAR

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

  

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(PAGASA)

As super typhoon Goring (international name: Saola) heads out of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), a severe tropical storm with the international name “Haikui” is expected to enter the PAR in the next few hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA last located Goring 185 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes.

It is moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph. 

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remains in effect over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Apayao, and the northwestern portion of Cagayan, while wind warnings have been lifted in other areas.

Severe tropical storm approaches PAR

Meanwhile, severe tropical storm Haikui was spotted 1,465 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 10 a.m.

It may enter the PAR Wednesday, and will be given a local name “Hanna,” PAGASA said. 

While inside the PAR, Haikui may intensify into a typhoon, but it will remain far from the Philippine landmass.

Although the current forecast scenario indicates that Haikui is less likely to have a direct effect on the country, it may enhance the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” on Thursday or Friday, Aug. 31 or Sept. 1.

It may reach its maximum intensity on Friday, as it approaches the boundary of the PAR, PAGASA said.

Haikui may exit the PAR on Friday morning.

Enhanced ‘habagat’

“This [the enhancement of the southwest monsoon] may result in the continuation of occasional or monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon and Visayas throughout this week,” PAGASA said, as super typhoon Goring continues to strengthen the effect of the habagat. 

PAGASA said heavy monsoon rains may persist in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, and Occidental Mindoro may continue to experience heavy monsoon rains on Friday, Sept. 1.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA said.

New cyclone spotted east of Visayas

PAGASA also monitored a tropical depression 3,150 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, or outside the PAR, on Wednesday afternoon.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph, and is moving northward at 10 kph.

This weather disturbance has no direct effect on any part of the country as of Wednesday.

Casiguran, Aurora sizzles with 60°C heat index on Aug. 14

 NATIONALNEWS

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Aug 14, 2023 07:00 PM

  

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(Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

The heat index, or temperature as perceived by the body, reached 60 degrees Celsius (°C) in Casiguran, Aurora on Monday, Aug. 14, based on the monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

For the fourth day in a row, PAGASA has recorded extremely dangerous heat indices in Casiguran: 53°C on Aug. 11, 53°C on Aug. 12, 59°C on Aug. 13, and 60°C on Aug. 14.

A heat index above 52°C indicates “extreme danger” because “heat stroke is imminent,” PAGASA said.

In addition to Casiguran, 16 other areas on Monday experienced “dangerous” heat indices: Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (45°C); NAIA, Pasay City (43°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (43°C); Baler, Aurora (43°C); Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas (43°C); Alabat, Quezon (43°C); Daet, Camarines Norte (43°C); Virac, Catanduanes (43°C); Roxas City, Capiz (43°C); Calayan, Cagayan (42°C); Aparri, Cagayan (42°C); Iba, Zambales (42°C); CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (42°C); Sangley Point, Cavite (42°C); and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (42°C).

PAGASA said a heat index ranging from 42°C to 51°C indicates impending “danger,” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely,” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity.”

In the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” may continue to bring scattered light to occasional heavy rains to Palawan, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

One of the most anticipated’ annual meteor showers will reach its peak on Aug. 13 — PAGASA

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

  

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The view of the north-northeastern sky during the peak of Perseids on Aug. 13, 2023 at 4 a.m. using the Stellarium software. (PAGASA)

The annual Perseids meteor shower will reach its peak activity on Sunday, Aug. 13, with as many as 150 meteors an hour under clear skies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its August astronomical diary.

PAGASA said the Perseids, which is known as “one of the most anticipated annual meteor showers,” is active from July 17 to Aug. 24.

“The shower will be visible once Perseus, the shower radiant, rises in the northeastern sky around midnight until just before sunrise. The number of visible meteors increases as the radiant reaches the highest point in the sky, right after dawn, and will be best observed just before sunrise,” it pointed out. 

The waning crescent moon's minimal interference could make the astronomical event remarkable.

According to PAGASA, meteor showers can be seen with the naked eye and do not require any special equipment such as telescopes or binoculars.

However, it recommended a dark location away from city lights with a clear sky and no moon to maximize the viewing experience.

κ-Cygnids meteor shower 

Another meteor shower observable this month is the κ-Cygnids.

PAGASA said the meteor shower is active from Aug. 3 to 25, with peak activity on Aug. 18.

“During its peak, κ-Cygnids is expected to produce three meteors per hour. The shower’s radiant, Draco, is already observable after sunset until it sets on the horizon at around 5 a.m.,” PAGASA said.

“It will be best observed around 9 p.m., when the radiant is at its highest position in the sky. The shower will peak close to the new moon, presenting minimal interference from the moonlight,” it added.

Tropical storm may enter PAR within 12 hours, will be named ‘Falcon’ — PAGASA

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

  

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, July 28 said a tropical storm spotted east of Luzon may enter the country’s area of responsibility within 12 hours.

The storm has an international name of Khanun, but it will be called Falcon once inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

In its 10 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Khanun was last located 1,245 kilometers east-northeast of southeastern Luzon.

It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph, while moving north-northwestward at 20 kph.

(PAGASA)

PAGASA said Khanun may become a typhoon on Sunday, July 30, and continuously intensify over the next five days.

Although the hoisting of wind signal is unlikely because Khanun may remain far from the country, PAGASA warned that it may strengthen the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” which will bring occasional rains to the western parts of Luzon and Visayas until next week.

“However, the magnitude, extent, and timing of monsoon enhancement and resulting rainfall may still change due to dependence of southwest monsoon enhancement on the intensity and movement of this tropical cyclone,” PAGASA said.

The storm will likely be outside the PAR by Monday, July 31.

Water levels in major Luzon dams rise; 3 dams to release water

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Jul 27, 2023 10:32 AM

  

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The rains from typhoon Egay and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” caused the water levels in eight major dams in Luzon to rise, based on the 24-hour rainfall monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA said the water levels at Ipo Dam, Ambuklao Dam, and Binga Dam increased on Thursday morning, July 27 to 101.2 meters, 751 meters, and 574.63 meters, respectively.

These were significantly higher than the previous day’s record of 99.5 meters, 746.43 meters, and 568.52 meters, respectively.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding as the three dams were expected to release water on Thursday.

“The water level of Ipo Dam as of 8 a.m. is 101.2 meters and continuously rising due to the expected rains caused by the current weather system. With this development, Ipo Dam will conduct spilling operation, with one spilling gate to open at 11 a.m., with an initial discharge of 61 cms (cubic meters per second),” PAGASA said in a flood advisory.

It advised the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, as well as residents living in low-lying areas and near the river banks of the Angat River in Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Paombong, and Hagonoy in Bulacan, to be on alert for a possible rise in the river’s level.

Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan (Photo courtesy of MWSS)

In a separate advisory, PAGASA warned that water discharge from Ambuklao Dam and Binga Dam, both in Benguet, may affect Barangay Ambuklao in Bokod town, as well as Barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon town.

Ambuklao Dam will have eight gates opened at 5 meters each, while Binga Dam will have six gates opened at 5.5 meters each.

The water discharge will be caught by the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, which is part of a series of cascading dams that include the upstream Ambuklao and Binga Dams.

As the Pangasinan dam is still at a low water level, it may benefit from the water released by the Ambuklao and Binga dams.

As of Thursday, the water level at San Roque Dam was 247.13 meters, much lower than the 280-meter normal water level. Its previous day’s record was 238.25 meters.

Other dams

PAGASA said four other major dams also benefitted from the light to heavy rains brought on by Egay and the enhanced habagat.

Angat Dam’s water level slightly increased from 181.64 meters on Wednesday to 182.98 meters on Thursday.

Although it is already above the 180-meter minimum dam operating level, it is still much lower than the 210-meter normal high water level during the rainy season.

The Angat and Ipo dams are in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

La Mesa Dam in Quezon City and Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija also saw a slight rise in water levels from 79.14 meters to 79.23 meters, and from 183.63 meters to 184.11 meters, respectively.

Meanwhile, Isabela’s Magat Dam saw a notable rise in water level, from 165.39 meters to 169.32 meters.

Pantabangan and Magat dams remain significantly below their normal levels at 216 meters and 190 meters, respectively, while La Mesa Dam is near its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

‘Egay’ intensifies into typhoon; Signal No. 4 or 5 may be raised

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Jul 24, 2023 00:24 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Tropical cyclone Egay intensified into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.
• According to the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 4 or 5.
• While traversing the Balintang Channel, Egay has the potential to become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph by Wednesday, July 26.

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Tropical cyclone Egay (international name: Doksuri) strengthened into a typhoon as it moved east-northeast across the sea near the Bicol region on Sunday, July 23, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the typhoon was last spotted 490 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, and is moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.

Egay intensified into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph. 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the northeastern portion of Catanduanes due to the expected strong winds from the approaching storm.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised in the rest of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Quirino, northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, northern portion of Aurora, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

“Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 was raised. Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are also possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is hoisted,” PAGASA said.

According to the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 4 or 5, it pointed out. 

(PAGASA)

Egay may become super typhoon by July 26

PAGASA said Egay is expected to continuously intensify in the next few days.

While traversing the Balintang Channel, it has the potential to become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph by Wednesday, July 26.

“Interaction with the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon and Southern Taiwan will trigger a period of weakening by late Wednesday as it moves over the waters near Southern Taiwan,” PAGASA said.

Landfall not ruled out

PAGASA said Egay’s track forecast in the current bulletin had a “considerable” shift.

In the next 12 hours, the weather disturbance may move west-northwestward or westward before turning northwest over the Philippine Sea east of Northern and Central Luzon.

“A brief period of west northwestward movement from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning will bring Egay over the Balintang Channel, resulting in a close approach over the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area,” PAGASA said.

“A landfall scenario over Batanes-Babuyan or northeastern mainland Cagayan is not ruled out since this is within the envelope of the forecast confidence cone,” it added.

Egay may leave the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday, July 27.

Brace for heavy to torrential rains

PAGASA warned that Egay may bring heavy to torrential rains over parts of Luzon in the next few days.

On Monday, July 24, Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and northern portion of Camarines Norte may experience heavy rains (50-100 millimeters).

On Tuesday, July 25, intense rains (100-200 millimeters) are expected in Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, while heavy rains may prevail over the rest of Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Apayao.

On Wednesday, July 26, torrential rains (more than 200 mm) may affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.

Intense rains may also persist in Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and northern portion of La Union, while heavy rains may prevail over the rest of La Union, Benguet, western portion of Mountain Province, and Kalinga.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Egay, may also bring significant rains over the next three days, particularly in Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.