The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Region 1 installed a Rainfall and Water Level Monitoring System at Balolong Bridge in Mapandan, province of Pangasinan in preparation for the monsoon season.
The Rainfall and Water Level Monitoring System is one of the technological interventions under the Disaster and Risk Reduction/Climate Change Mitigation entry point of the DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) programme, given that many areas of the municipality are prone to flooding.
The local government of Mapandan is already equipped with a reliable system and technology to monitor the level of water and rainfall to issue a local flood forecast, develop risk management skills, and lessen the impact of water-related risks on communities.
Such a system includes sensors for measuring the water level in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Also, the system can measure rain levels. All collected data will be transmitted, processed, and analysed on a central server, where water resources managers and other interested parties will have access. SMS or brief message service can also be sent to registered sims.
On average, the Philippines experience a sprinkling of 21 typhoons. Yet, it appears that the public is unable to comprehend the effects that these destructive typhoons have year after year. With this, the DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) is currently transitioning to Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF).
IBF, which was introduced in December of last year, manages weather forecasting information differently than the conventional method. It attempts to convert hazard information into potential impacts, thereby transferring the focus from “what the weather will be” to “what the weather will do.” In this manner, the public will have greater comprehension and appreciation of the weather forecast, allowing them to take the necessary precautions.
Engr Lorenzo Moron, assistant chief of weather services for DOST-PAGASA, explained that considering Typhoon Yolanda, the World Meteorological Organisation has fiercely advocated the shift from conventional to impact-based weather forecasting.
According to Engr Lorenzo, PAGASA provides conventional forecasting that is quite technical, and people typically do not comprehend this information. Consequently, this IBF attempts to provide information in the vernacular of the public by focusing on the effects rather than the information.
He explained that it is no longer sufficient to provide accurate weather information, as the public is demanding instructions on how to safeguard their safety and property. And IBF would provide descriptive information on the impact of any meteorological event, allowing the public to visualise its impact prior to the occurrence of a disaster.
In addition to providing accurate weather forecasts, DOST-PAGASA is now analysing data by providing a risk assessment using a risk matrix where risks have human and property-related impacts. The matrix will have a corresponding response matrix based on colour-coded risk and hazard severity.
In a separate interview, Esperanza Cayanan, who is the deputy administrator for research and development, said that the weather office needs to improve how it talks about how cyclones might affect people in forecast advisories. She also said that the effects of the rain should be talked about more than the rain itself. This was said about Typhoon Paeng in 2022, which killed at least 121 people and caused million worth of damage to crops, animals, and poultry.
Currently, DOST-PAGASA is making changes to its IBF, and groups are still giving feedback. Before rolling out the system, the government must test it thoroughly.