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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Flood prone communities in ZamPen to receive 25 additional EWS from DOST
By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jan. 20 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology will deploy additional 25 units of early warning systems in Zamboanga Peninsula region to capacitate local government units (LGUs) towards an efficient and effective disaster risk reduction and management.

In a press release, DOST IX Assistant Regional Director Mr. Martin A. Wee said that the additional monitoring equipment will complement the existing 70 units that were already deployed in strategic locations in the region since 2013.

According to Wee, DOST-PAGASA Central Office had already approved and conducted site survey and hydrographic survey of the identified flood prone areas and river basins. The hydrographic survey is crucial to define shoreline and underwater features needed to establish critical data and information.

This year’s deployment of automated rain gauges (ARG) and water level monitoring system (WLMS) will cover Imelda and Bayog in Zamboanga Sibugay; Labason, Gutalac, Kalawit, Siocon, Baliguian, Siayan, Sindangan, Labangan, Rizal, La Libertad, Piñan, Dapitan City and Dipolog City; and Isabela City in Basilan which covers Calvario, Aguada, Kapatagan Grande, Kapayawan and Makiri.

The weather sensors collect data without human interface and transmit the data automatically every 10 to 15 minutes from remote sites directly to DOST weather data server in Manila for further study and analysis of PAGASA. The devices are solar-powered, making them more resilient to power disruptions during typhoons.

The data transmitted by the ARGs, for instance, will enable DOST’s other equipment and personnel to monitor rainfall volume and duration and estimate its impact on the river levels downstream, eventually helping in flood prediction and in the LGU’s management of early warning information. Accurate and updated science-based weather information would be very helpful for LGUs to institute proper and on-time disaster response, thus saving lives, properties and livelihood. 
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