Typhoon Rolly

Nature of the disaster

Super Typhoon Goni, locally known as Rolly, is a category 5 Super Typhoon that made landfall over Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 280 kilometers per hour. It is the Philippines’ 19th named storm for year 2020. The typhoon generated heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, and lahar from the Mayon Volcano in the Bicol region, affecting more than two million people.

• Natural or man-made?

Typhoon Rolly originated as a tropical depression in the south portion of Guam on October 26. It is an event which we do not have control of, that is why it is classified as a natural disaster. It also cannot be produced or disrupted by human activities.

• What kind of hazard?

Super Typhoon Rolly is a hydrometeorological hazard because it involves the interaction of atmosphere, bodies of water, and land, and which pose threats to lives and human property. It is also the result of of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.

• Vulnerability and exposure level of the community

Catanduanes is an island province which makes it one of the most disaster-prone areas in Bicol, especially against strong typhoons. In a study in 2009, it was discovered that there is a noticeable absence of a drainage system that can mitigate floods in the area. Furthermore, 66% of the respondents live by the bodies of water like rivers, lakes and the sea; 33% near mountains and 11% in flood-prone areas. On the other hand, Albay, lies on the eastern seaboard of Bicol and is one of the areas first reached by tropical cyclones. It experiences an average visit of 20 tropical cyclones each year with an average of two major destructive typhoons per year. Batangas' topography also makes it vulnerable to hazards such as floods, typhoons, landslides and coastal tragedies.