Up to 2 cyclones seen this month

There could be one or two tropical cyclones that will enter or develop within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

- ROMINA CABRERA

The average typhoon tracks recorded since 1948 show the weather disturbances are likely to make landfall over parts of Luzon and the Visayas.

PAGASA warned that the intensity of the cyclones for the month could reach typhoon and super-typhoon category.

The two potential cyclones will be named Marce and Nika.

These will come as parts of the country are still reeling from the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon these past few weeks.

Leon (Kong-rey) left PAR yesterday early morning after it battered Taiwan and weakened into a severe tropical storm.

The trough of Kong-rey is still bringing scattered rains over Palawan, while the easterlies are affecting the eastern sections of Luzon and the Visayas.

It will bring isolated rains over Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

Localized thunderstorms may bring isolated rains over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

PAGASA warned of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to, at times, heavy rains.

Classrooms destroyed

The education sector is expected to continue reeling from the impact of Kristine and Leon in the days to come as both typhoons caused a total of P987.5 million worth of damage to school infrastructure, the Department of Education’s (DepEd) latest data showed.

Based on the agency’s situational report collated from its field offices as of 11 a.m. yesterday, a total of 64 classrooms were destroyed and 125 classrooms were damaged by Leon. This was on top of 84 damaged toilets and 50 damaged wash facilities.

The cost needed for classroom reconstruction is at P160 million while P62.5 million is needed for “major repairs,” totaling P222.5 million, according to DepEd.

DepEd had earlier reported P765 million worth of damage to school infrastructure due to Kristine, with 223 classrooms destroyed and 415 classrooms damaged.