Warning system for weather phenomena being studied - OCD

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is studying the possibility of creating a warning system for weather phenomena, such as shear lines, to boost disaster response.

In a press statement released Saturday, Feb. 15, the OCD said Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno made the recommendation as he noted the impact of the shear line.

"The intention of Usec. Ariel is to craft an alert system that not only informs the public about what is happening but also clearly identifies the type of disaster. We want to avoid confusion," OCD spokesperson Director Chris Noel Bendijo said.

“The peculiar thing about the shear line is that it can result in cloud formations that are often confined to a specific area, leading to concentrated rainfall. We need to develop a warning system that can effectively alert people about these conditions," he added.

Bendijo also shared that they are trying to reach out to the state weather bureau regarding the development of a warning system for shear lines.

He also stressed the need to align the country’s infrastructure to the “new normal” of increased rainfall.

Lately, shear lines have brought heavy rains to parts of the country, causing floods and even fatalities.