Tropical Storm Matmo is gathering strength. It is moving at 75 kilometers per hour. Forecasters expect it to become a severe tropical storm. It is set to slam into Luzon, the main island, early Friday. This surge happens when strong winds push a lot of ocean water towards the shore. Such events can destroy property. They can also tragically take lives.
As of 4 PM local time on October 2, the storm was 665 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes. Its current wind speed is 55 kilometers per hour. Gusts are hitting 70 kilometers per hour. Matmo is tracking northwest at 25 kilometers per hour. Experts predict it will gain power. It should hit the Isabela or northern Aurora provinces. This will happen Friday morning or afternoon.
The weather agency has not yet ordered any evacuations. Still, their message is clear. Heavy rains are coming. The seas will be extremely rough. Conditions will be risky for all types of boats.
This coming storm adds to recent heartbreak. Just three days ago, a strong 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the central Philippines. That disaster killed 72 people. Nearly 600 homes were destroyed. Thousands spent nights outside, fearing aftershocks. Now, they face another threat from the sky and sea.
The Philippines often battles nature’s fury. It sees about 20 tropical storms and typhoons each year. These often strike vulnerable regions. Millions of people live there in difficult conditions. Scientists warn that global warming makes these storms worse. Human activities cause climate change. Last week, Typhoon Bualoy killed 37 people. It forced 400,000 to leave their homes in the north. Before that, in late September, Typhoon Ragasa claimed 14 lives. The cycle of extreme weather continues to challenge the nation.
Source: ABS-CBN