The country’s weather agency, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), confirmed that six houses in Cuenca, Batangas was damaged by a tornado last Friday noon.

Two houses in Barangay Ibabao and four in Barangay San Isidro experienced a strong whirling wind in just a few seconds that left roofs flying and trees destroyed as if a typhoon occurred.

Al Llarena, weather observer of Ambulong PAG-ASA station in Batangas explained that a tornado is possible during severe thunderstorms. It is called a tornado when it hits the ground while it is termed a water spout when it hits water.

Llarena remembered that in 1981, a five-minute tornado hit their office. A tornado can reach up to a radius of five kilometers with a strength of 65 kilometers per hour.

He said the Philippines is not equipped to forecast tornadoes but advises the public to be extra careful especially during strong thunderstorms. A thunderstorm is usually accompanied by lightning and even snow.

Avoiding lightning

Recently, two have died in Batangas province after being struck by lightning in the months of October and November. A tourist was severely burnt by lightning while swimming in Nasugbu while a 15-year old boy in a coastal area of Batangas City died after being hit by lightning which also wounded his two companions.

Llarena advised that aside from staying at home or taking shelter during thunderstorms or heavy rains, motorists should stop their vehicles while on the street. One should stop using telephone landlines, he said, and it is wise to turn off electrical appliances especially television. He said plugged electrical appliances can be destroyed when lightning occurs.

When in an open area and seeing that a lightning is about to strike, Llarena advised that a person must squat while heels are put together, elevated from the ground. This way, he explained, the electricity would flow from one foot and pass to the other foot, without affecting the whole body.