The torrential rains accompanied by hail experienced in the city last Oct. 9 registered a high amount of rainfall which the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Baguio Observatory placed at 55.8 millimeters (mm).
With the said amount of rainfall, the rain intensity reached the torrential level, the highest category, where rainfall amounts usually measures higher than 30mm.
As a standard definition, a rainfall amount of 1 mm means every square meter receives one liter of rain water.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said the rains caused by a localized thunderstorm lasted for 35 minutes from 2:50 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. based on the report of Pagasa Baguio Observatory Senior Specialist, Engr. Larry Esperanza.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Engineering Office Maintenance Division head, Engr. Richard Lardizabal, said the heavy downpour, which caused flooding at Session Road and other areas, was unusual and unexpected.
“Our usual rain intensity is moderate with rainfall amount from 2.5mm to 7.50mm based on Pagasa measurements. And the heavy to intense intensity rainfall amount ranges from 7.5mm to 30mm. It is in this case that we suspend projects because of the strong rains and flooding. What more last Sunday where the reading from Pagasa was 55.8 mm,” Lardizabal said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
April 26, 2024
