First of two parts
WE survived April and May of this year, which are usually the hottest months in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. The suffocating high temperatures, worsened by the El Niño event, brought hotter and drier conditions, with the heat index locally reaching 42 degrees Celsius. Hundreds of schools were closed, disrupting the classes of millions of young Filipinos.
According to the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, both April and May of this year were recorded as the warmest in its 175-year global record.
Meanwhile, the 10 costliest typhoons in the Philippines occurred in the last 15 years, with their damage to homes, infrastructure and agriculture amounting to P363.70 billion.
Intense heat and typhoons are extreme weather events.
The World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report 2024 reported that extreme weather events are the second most severe global risk over a two-year period (2024-2025). Over a 10-year period (2024-2033), extreme weather events are the most severe global risk.
Toward the end of May of this year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration stated that there is a high chance of La Niña conditions developing in the July-August-September period, which will increase the likelihood of above-normal rainfall in some areas of the country, especially toward the end of the year.
With an average of 20 typhoons entering the Philippine area of responsibility, we have recently experienced the third typhoon.
According to the data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council as of 8 a.m., July 26, Typhoon “Carina” left with 21 deaths and caused a total damage of over P20 million to houses, public infrastructure and agriculture. It affected 1,319,467 persons and displaced 887,328 individuals across 261 cities and municipalities. Approximately 689 areas were flooded.
A professor at the University of the Philippines' Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology said that Typhoon “Ondoy's” rain rate, or the amount of rainfall in a given amount of time, is more intense than Typhoon Carina. Typhoon Ondoy dumped 350 millimeters (mm) in just six hours, while Typhoon Carina took 18 hours to reach the same amount.
NCR's top 3 worst typhoon-induced floods
Metro Manila has experienced numerous devastating typhoons and resulting floods over the years. Based on severity, impact and recorded damages, the top three worst typhoon-induced flooding events in Metro Manila include:
Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 caused unprecedented flooding with 455 mm of rainfall recorded within 24 hours, surpassing the previous highest rainfall record. It affected over 4.9 million people, resulted in 464 fatalities and caused P11 billion in damages. The extensive flooding and high number of casualties marked this typhoon as one of the most catastrophic natural events in Philippine history.
Typhoon “Ulysses” in 2020 brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. It affected over 3 million people, resulting in 101 casualties, extensive property damage and displacement. Ulysses compounded the hardships faced by Filipinos as it struck shortly after Typhoon “Rolly.”
Typhoon “Glenda” in 2014 brought intense winds and heavy rains, resulting in severe flooding in several areas of Metro Manila. It caused significant infrastructure damage, affecting over 4.2 million people and resulting in 106 deaths. Glenda's impact caused widespread power outages and transportation disruptions.
The link between climate change and urban flooding is a complex issue facing many cities worldwide. Climate change exacerbates urban flooding through various interconnected factors:
Increased precipitation and extreme weather events. Climate change alters weather patterns, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall events. Warmer air can hold more moisture, resulting in heavier downpours during typhoons. The increased frequency of extreme weather events like hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons contributes significantly to urban flooding.
Sea-level rise. Global warming causes melting polar ice caps and thermal expansion of seawater, leading to rising sea levels. Coastal cities face a higher risk of flooding from storm surges and high tides, which are amplified by higher baseline sea levels.
Urbanization and land use changes. Urban areas with a concentration of impermeable surfaces such as roads, pavements and buildings hinder water absorption into the ground. This results in increased runoff during heavy rainfall. Often, rapid urbanization outpaces the development of adequate drainage systems, leading to urban flooding.
This statement was presented during the Philippine Business for Environmental Sustainability (Pbest) Forum, “Transparent Governance for Climate Resilience: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities,” held on 29 July 2024 at the AIM Conference Center.
To be continued next Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024
The author is the founder and chief strategic adviser of the Young Environmental Forum and a director of Climate Tracker Asia Inc. He completed a climate change and development course at the University of East Anglia (United Kingdom) and an executive program on sustainability leadership at Yale University (USA). You can email at ludwig.federigan@gmail.com.
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