In brief
Weather experts report an alarming historical event as four tropical storms—Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi, and Man-yi—are simultaneously affecting the Philippines this November. The unusual storm activity has raised concerns about global warming and its potential role in the increasing frequency of these natural disasters.
Four tropical storms are currently swirling in the North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, creating an unprecedented situation for the Philippines. This event marks the first recorded occurrence of four storms simultaneously during November, according to meteorological experts.The storms—Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi, and Man-yi—are either nearing the Philippines or making their way past the region, causing substantial impact over the past week. Despite typhoons forming year-round, the simultaneous occurrence of four storms in November has raised alarms among meteorologists. Gene Huang, a forecaster from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, emphasized that this anomaly signifies a deviation from typical weather patterns, as the peak typhoon season generally runs from July to October.Historically, since 1961, the maximum number of tropical cyclones tracked concurrently in the western North Pacific and South China Sea during November was three, most recently observed in 2009, as noted by Olivia Shuk-ming Lee from the Hong Kong Observatory. The unusual timing and intensity of the storms are attributed to high pressure systems remaining in place longer than expected for this time of year. Various scientists are investigating potential links to climate change, as rising sea surface temperatures may be contributing to the increased storm activity.The Philippines, already battered by seasonal storms, has experienced extensive damage and loss of life, with reports of over a hundred casualties attributed to the ongoing storms. Typhoon Yinxing struck as a Category 4 storm last week, prompting over 160,000 evacuations. In the wake of Typhoon Toraji’s landfall, tens of thousands faced power outages. As of Monday, Toraji is en route to Hong Kong, affecting local education with kindergarten classes canceled.Forecasts predict Usagi's landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon, the Philippines' most populous island, while Man-yi is expected to hit the eastern regions of the country over the coming weekend. Responding to this crisis, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. indicated that the government is ready to deliver aid to those impacted, with rescue personnel prepared and awaiting the storm's passage.
