By Nikolai Ordoña

Typhoon Falcon (international name: Khanun) may become a super typhoon as it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday, August 1.

First spotted during the onslaught of Egay, Falcon developed into a typhoon last July 30. Although it did not directly hit the country, the cyclone strengthened the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which brought monsoon rains across Luzon.

Falcon is expected to pass south of Okinawa Islands and go over the East China Sea by Thursday, where it may reach its peak intensity. However, PAGASA warned that its wide scope could still affect Batanes.

“Dahil nga sa malaking radius nito or sakop nitong bagyong Falcon, hindi po natin niru-rule out yung possibility na kapag mas lumapit ito sa timog ng Okinawa islands [sa Japan], maaaring mahagip ng malalakas na hangin iyong area ng Batanes,” PAGASA Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda explained.

Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon and portions of Western Visayas will experience occasional rains and gusty conditions due to the enhanced southwest monsoon. 

Maritime travelers are advised to take precautions, especially for smaller vessels navigating such conditions.

Diseases on the rise

Amid the continuous rains and floods brought by Habagat and the recent typhoons, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to keep safe from leptospirosis and dengue, which became more prevalent during the wet season.

Based on the department’s latest data, 182 new cases of “potentially deadly but preventable” leptospirosis have been recorded from June 18 to July 1, which is a 42 percent increase from 128 cases two weeks prior. 

Several regions across the country saw a rise in leptospirosis cases, including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, National Capital Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region.

Overall, the DOH has recorded 2,079 leptospirosis cases from January 1 to July 15, 225 of which have resulted in death.

Another disease being monitored is dengue, which already logged 80,318 infections from January 1 to July 15, with 9,486 being recorded in the last three to four weeks.

All regions saw an increase in cases except for Cagayan Valley, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Caraga.

Cases classified as severe totaled 990, resulting in 299 fatalities. Thirty-nine of them had no warning signs.

The DOH advised the public to maintain a clean environment to prevent the breeding of dengue-causing mosquitoes and rodents that may carry leptospira, which causes leptospirosis.

Traversing through contaminated flood waters is also discouraged. If necessary, people must wear boots for protection and wash them with soap and water immediately after.

Thumbnail from The Philippine Star