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In August 2021, when Typhoon Saola or Typhoon Gener entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility or PAR, the typhoon did not make landfall but the effects were severe because of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

The effects of the typhoon resulted in 109 fatalities and P3 billion worth of damage to properties because within only three days, the amount of rainfall reached 1,007.5 mm.

After one year, Typhoon Maring entered the PAR and just like Gener, it did not make landfall.

Amount of rainfall

However, because the Habagat caused flooding and landslides, this resulted in 21 fatalities and about 2.5 million people were affected.

In only five days, the amount of rainfall reached 1,120.2 mm.

The rainfall brought about by Typhoons Gener and Maring is almost double the amount of rain caused by Typhoon Ondoy and the Habagat in only four days in 2009.

To better understand this, consider that 1 mm of rain is equivalent to 1 liter of water per square meter.

So if the rainfall is 1,000 mm, it is equivalent to one thousand liters or one metric ton of rain per square meter!

What our country experienced in 2012 and 2013 were the effects of the Habagat that was further strengthened by the typhoon — this is what is called the “enhanced Habagat.”

What is enhanced Habagat and what are the dangers it brings?

The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat is wind coming from the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. This is warm wind or moist wind that brings with it heavy rains, thunderstorms and strong winds, particularly in the western section of the country.

If the Southwest Monsoon is accompanied by a storm, this results in strong and long-lasting rains.

The movement of the typhoons acts like a vacuum that pulls in the Southwest Monsoon, and while the wind turns, it also absorbs water vapor from the ocean.

So if there are more Southwest Monsoons, there are longer periods of rainfall.

So, even if a typhoon does not make landfall, it still becomes destructive because of the effects of the enhanced Habagat.

The Ateneo de Manila University, Manila Observatory and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) studied weather data from 1961 up to 2022.

And based on this study, in the past years, there has been a larger amount of rainfall brought about by the enhanced Habagat than the amount of rain brought about by a typhoon.

  • 33.1% of rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season is caused by the enhanced Habagat
  • 15.4% of rainfall is directly caused by the effects of a typhoon
  • 51.5% of rainfall is caused by the Habagat alone without the presence of a tropical cyclone

PAGASA warning

The state weather bureau warned that there is a bigger chance that the Habagat will coincide with the Super El Niño from June up to August 2026.

If there is Super El Niño or strong El Niño, there will be fewer typhoons in the country but these are stronger. It is also possible that more Habagat will be drawn in.

“We will have more heavy rainfall events because we will likely experience an enhanced Southwest Monsoon. During El Niño, the easterlies weaken and become westerlies, and there are instances when typhoons recurve during June, July, and August. When typhoons recurve, they end up pulling in our Habagat,” said Ana Liza Solis, PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief.

Typhoon Saola

Typhoon Saola was a powerful tropical cyclone that affected East Asia in September 2023, primarily impacting Taiwan, the Philippines, and southern China. It brought destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding, leading to significant damage and several fatalities. The storm’s name, contributed by Vietnam, refers to a rare animal, the saola, which is found in the forests of Laos and Vietnam.

Typhoon Gener

“Typhoon Gener” is the local name in the Philippines for Typhoon Saola, a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the country in August 2012. It caused significant damage and loss of life, particularly in Luzon and the Visayas, leading to widespread flooding and landslides. The typhoon’s impact prompted extensive relief efforts and highlighted the vulnerability of the region to severe weather events.

Typhoon Maring

Typhoon Maring is the local name for a significant tropical cyclone that impacted the Philippines, most notably in 2021. This storm brought severe flooding and landslides to Luzon, particularly affecting Metro Manila and nearby provinces, leading to widespread damage and loss of life. The name “Maring” is part of a rotating list used by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for storms entering the country’s area of responsibility.

Typhoon Ondoy

Typhoon Ondoy, known internationally as Typhoon Ketsana, was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck the Philippines in September 2009. It caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, with record-breaking rainfall of over 450 millimeters in just 24 hours, leading to severe damage, displacement of millions, and hundreds of casualties. The disaster highlighted the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather and prompted significant changes in disaster preparedness and response systems.

Ateneo de Manila University

The Ateneo de Manila University is a prestigious private Jesuit university located in Quezon City, Philippines, founded in 1859 by the Society of Jesus. Originally established as the Escuela Municipal de Manila, it later moved to its current Loyola Heights campus and became a university in 1959. Known for its strong liberal arts education and social justice advocacy, it has produced many prominent Filipino leaders, including national hero José Rizal.

Manila Observatory

The Manila Observatory is a non-profit scientific research institute located in Quezon City, Philippines, originally founded by the Spanish Jesuit missionaries in 1865. Initially established as a weather station, it played a crucial role in early typhoon forecasting and seismology, and later expanded its research to include atmospheric and environmental studies. Despite suffering damage during World War II, the observatory was rebuilt and continues to contribute to climate and disaster risk reduction science.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

PAGASA is the national meteorological and hydrological agency of the Philippines, responsible for weather forecasting, flood warnings, and astronomical observations. Established in 1972 through the reorganization of the Philippine Weather Bureau (which began in 1901 under the U.S. colonial government), it has since become the country’s primary authority on climate and disaster preparedness. Its headquarters in Quezon City also houses a planetarium and a seismological station, reflecting its role in monitoring natural hazards across the archipelago.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the world’s third-largest ocean, covering about 20% of Earth’s water surface and serving as a vital trade route for thousands of years, linking Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Its history is marked by ancient maritime networks, including the spice trade and the spread of religions and cultures, followed by European colonial expansion from the 16th century onward. Today, it remains a critical economic and strategic region, supporting global shipping and diverse coastal ecosystems.