DOST-Eastern Visayas to complete rehab of early warning systems

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 18 (PNA) –- The Department of Science and Technology will complete within this month the rehabilitation of 128 early warning systems (EWS) in time for the onset of rainy days.

The DOST embarked on a massive rehabilitation of EWS in the region after the devastation of supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013 and weaker typhoon in 2014. Works include upgrading of parts and installation of new sim cards.

"We are confident that this will be done within August in time for the rainy season. We have to fix these warning systems to ensure more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas," said Edgardo Esperancilla, DOST Eastern Visayas regional director.

Of the 128 early warning systems, 102 of these are hydrometeorological (hydromet) devices set up in 2012 and 26 are disaster early warning system installed in 2014.

Hydromet include the automated weather station (AWS), automated rain gauge (ARG) and the water level monitoring system (WLMS) that produce data to enhance local disaster management.

The AWS measures wind speed direction, air temperature, humidity, pressure and the amount of rainfall, its duration and intensity. The ARG, on the other hand, gathers the amount of rainfall incident in an area.

Another device, the WLMS, measures the rate by which the water level rises within the river system or bodies of water.

"All three devices automatically send data to a central base station on a pre-determined interval. The data gathered from these stations are being used by government agencies for further risk evaluation and hazard analysis," Esperancilla said.

The 26 units of disaster early warning systems were set up in major river basins in the region's six provinces. A major component of the project is the community-based flood early warning system piloted in Binahaan River in central Leyte.

Each installed system has the ability to send warnings to low-lying communities six hours before the water surge, hence giving residents enough time to prepare.

Early warning systems are designed to substantially reduce casualties and damages to movable properties.

The state weather bureau earlier warned of a developing La Niña, which will bring heavy rainfall in most parts of the country in the second half of 2016. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO