The positive side of weather disturbances

As we write this column, one powerful typhoon has just exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, and another major one is hovering in its northeastern periphery.

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The forecast is that these are not going to be the last weather disturbances this month, nor this year, and weather agencies have been saying, “brace for more,” because it is La Niña season.

These developments and forecasts have heightened our collective anxiety.

We have learned to dread weather disturbances for which we only have one name: “Bagyo,” and synonymously, “unos.” Weather agencies have more specific labels: lowpressure area, tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon, and super typhoon. For us, they are all “Bagyo” and the idea that one is hovering near our country sends chills up our spine.

This is expected.

After all, the destructive effects of weather disturbances are all so familiar to us. They cause deaths, destruction to property, disruption of commerce, interruption of our routine activities, and a drain on our energies and resources.

They also remind us of our vulnerability to the forces of nature and our helplessness in these situations. We cannot stop, redirect, or mitigate the strengths of weather disturbances. We can only track them, brace for their onslaught, and pray that the structures we built will be able to withstand them.

Weather disturbances have positive effects.

Here is what scientists say.