West Pacific ocean has an active stormy season commencing from September and lasting till December. The intensity of these systems vary largely from a tropical depression to super typhoon. The West Pacific was struck by four CAT-5 typhoons last year during the period between September and December 2013. A vast stretch of coastline of Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan and Korea remains under threat of strong tropical storms, frequently achieving typhoon status. These systems have devastating potential and are punched with a deadly combination of gale winds and torrential rains.
Presently, tropical depression ‘Fifteen` (LUIS) is marked in the open seas of western pacific, centered around 14°N and 132°E, having a wind speed of about 55 kmph. The system is likely to become a tropical storm and also rapidly upgrade to a typhoon in the next 36 hours. The tropical system seems to be heading for northern parts of Philippines and likely to make a landfall in 48- 72 hours. While crossing the coast, the wind speed may exceed 130 kmph and rainfall amounts of the order of 20 cm or more in 24 hr at many places. Disaster risk reduction and management council has already been advised to take appropriate action for safety and security of life and property.
After crossing Philippines, the storm is likely to emerge in the South China Sea and strengthen further.
