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AccuWeather Global Weather Center reports in the wake of the devastating storm Hagupit, a new round of tropical downpours threatens to hinder cleanup efforts and renew flooding problems across the Philippines to end the week.
The former Super Typhoon Hagupit, locally known as Ruby, left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, and another tropical disturbance on the horizon is the last thing residents and officials want to hear.
The good news is that the disturbance, currently southwest of Guam, is not expected to strengthen into the monster that Hagupit became, AccuWeather.com said in a statement.
“At most, the system could develop into a tropical depression or a very weak tropical storm,” said AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
Regardless of development, the disturbance is expected to cross the central Philippines with downpours Friday through the weekend. The downpours will generally focus on the Visayan Islands and southern Luzon.
Duffey expects the downpours to drop an average of 40-75 mm (1.5-3 inches) of rain.
Gusty winds of 55-70 kph (35-45 mph) would accompany the downpours if the disturbance becomes a depression or storm.
That amount of rain alone would bring localized flash flooding concerns. However, the area is at greater risk for renewed flooding and mudslides in the wake of Hagupit’s inundation.
“Rainfall surpassed 400 mm (16 inches) in Borongan and 350 mm (14 inches) in Catbalogan,” reported AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Eric Leister. “Both cities are located on Samar Island where Hagupit made landfall.”
Even if flooding does not ensue, the downpours threaten to hinder cleanup efforts.
According to Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, more than 47,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed by Hagupit.
AccuWeather.com quoted the Philippine Red Cross, which told CNN that the death-toll from the former super typhoon now stands at 25.
Source: AccuWeather.com