By Alexandria Dennise San Juan

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geo­physical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the ap­proaching typhoon may follow a similar track taken by storms “Glenda” and “Reming” which left hundreds of people dead in 2014 and 2006, respectively.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez said local government, as well as disaster risk reduction manage­ment officials, may look into the track of these previous typhoons to prepare for the onslaught of Typhoon “Kammuri” (international name).

“Itong dalawang typhoon na ito ay pwedeng maging pat­tern for disaster preparedness and migitation. Looking back historically, pwede nilang i-double check anu-ano ang mga lugar na grabeng naapek­tuhan (The two typhoons may be a good pattern for disaster preparedness and migitation. Looking back historically,they can double check the areas that were severely affected),” Perez noted during a press briefing in PAGASA on Friday.

Perez suggested that local lead­ers and disaster mitigation officers should check as early as now the areas hit by flash floods and land­slides due to Glenda and Reming.

As of Friday morning, the tropi­cal cyclone was last spotted 1,470 kilometers east of Southern Luzon while moving slowly northwest­ward.

It now packs maximum wind strength of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 170 kilometers per hour

Kammuri is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibil­ity (PAR) between Saturday night and Sunday morning as a typhoon category and will be given a local name “Tisoy,” the 20th tropi­cal cyclone to hit the country this year.

The typhoon could make a land­fall in Southern Luzon and is ex­pected to bring heavy rains and thunderstorms over parts of Luzon and Samar provinces beginning Monday.

According to Perez, Kammuri has almost the same track as Ty­phoon Glenda in July, 2014, which left 106 dead, 1,250 injured, and more than P38 billion worth of damage in Eastern Viasayas and Bicol Region.

Glenda hit the land as a typhoon at peak intensity of 150 kilometers per hour near the center with gusts of 180 kilometers per hour.

Kammuri is also expected to pour rains over areas also affected by Typhoon Reming in November, 2006 where at least 734 people died, 2,360 were wounded, and at least P5 billion worth of properties damaged in Southern and Central Luzon.

Reming packed maximum sus­tained winds of 190 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of 225 kilometers per hour when it made a landfall, Perez added.

Meanwhile, the weather state bureau advised the public and the local state officials to coordinate with various government agencies for proper dissemination of infor­mation about the typhoon.

Farmers, fishers cautioned

Agriculture Secretary William Dar, in a press statement, said farmers and fishermen in Bicol province and several areas in East­ern Visayas are at risk as Kammuri draws closer to PAR.

Dar told the farmers to immedi­ately harvest their crops, while the others were told to delay planting until the typhoon exits the PAR.

Fishermen, on the other hand, are advised not to venture in said areas due to strong typhoon-induced ocean waves.

Farm and fishing grounds in said regions are therefore at risk. Hence, farmers, fishers, and other rural folk are advised to take precautions as advised by their respective local disaster risk reduction and man­agement councils (DRRMCs), said the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRM).

Dar already instructed respective DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs) to enforce appropriate measures to minimize damage to crops, livestock, aquaculture and infrastructure fa­cilities, including harm to farmers, fishers, other rural folk and their families.

Oratio Imperata

Meanwhile, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon has called for prayers in the wake of the approaching strong ty­phoon.

The Diocese of Legazpi said the prelate was asking the faithful to pray “that we may be saved from di­saster.”

In his Facebook page, the prelate even posted the “Oratio Imperata”, a prayer for deliverance from inclement weather and other natural calamities, for the faithful recite.

The Oratio Imperata (obligatory prayer) read:

“Almighty Father, we turn our hearts to You in gratitude for the won­ders of creation of which we are a part, for Your providence that sustains us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

“We acknowledge that we have sinned against You and the rest of Your creation. We have not been good stew­ards of Nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

“The environment is made to suf­fer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indif­ference. Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, rains, floods, drought, volcanic eruptions and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

“We turn to You, our Loving Fa­ther, and beg forgiveness for our sins. We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard-earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural or man-made. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into respon­sible stewards of your creation and generous neighbors to those in need. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Aside from praying, the prelate also urged everyone to prepare for the typhoon.

“Let us prepare and work for zero casualty. Let us care for the most vul­nerable among us,” the diocese said. (With reports from Madelaine Mira­flor and Leslie Ann G. Aquino)

READ MORE: ‘Kammuri’ continues to gather strength, but has slim chance of becoming super typhoon — PAGASA