Last week, after almost a month of dry spells and heat waves, Lagunenses finally experienced what everybody has been praying for in months: a rainstorm deluge in parts of our province.
And yet, many of us were caught off-guard by the intensity of the rain showers that pummeled our province, with several areas reporting flash floods that prompted authorities to prepare to evacuate residents near low-lying areas.
Truth be told, this kind of extreme weather should’ve been expected – and prepared for – by local government units here in our province.
After all, no less than the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the country is now transitioning to the rainy season.
And it’s not just going to be a “normal” rainy season: the effects of the La Niña phenomenon, usually characterized by heavier-than-normal rainfall and more intense weather disturbances, were likely to be felt in the last quarter of 2024.
There’s still time for our LGUs to step up its efforts to mitigate the possible effects of the La Niña phenomenon, not only through ensuring that our waterways are free of obstructions, but also in preparing for the possible worst-case situation of having to evacuate residents in danger zones.
Critics are sure to say such measures may be “over-acting” or “unnecessary,” as we are still experiencing the effects of the dry spell brought by El Niño – but as the old saying goes, better safe than sorry.
As we have all learned in the past, better to prepare for calamities that may never come rather than be caught off-guard and risk massive damage to lives and properties due to natural disasters.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #PAGASA #ElNiño #LaNiña