THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has warned the public against underestimating the risks posed by the shear line and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), which continue to bring heavy rains and disruptions across the Philippines.
The shear line forms rain clouds where warm and cold air masses converge, while the ITCZ generates heavy rainfall as trade winds meet and push air upward.
These weather systems have already caused fatalities and significant damage, particularly in Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, and Davao regions, with five deaths and two individuals missing between December 26, 2024, and January 2, 2025.
OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno stressed the need for vigilance, urging the public to heed advisories from PAGASA and other agencies.
“The public must not take these weather systems lightly, as they can be as destructive as typhoons,” he said, citing the 43 lives lost to shear line-induced flooding in 2023.
Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of improving preparedness, including better coordination with PAGASA to give communities ample time to prepare. He also called for stronger local government unit involvement and prioritized forced evacuations in high-risk areas.
“This year, we will focus more on preparation to minimize damage,” Nepomuceno said.
