NASA: Agaton’s Rain Doubled Compared to Ondoy

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America confirmed that the Tropical Depression “Agaton” that hits the southern Philippines for a week more than doubled the volume of rain poured by tropical storm Ondoy brought for 24 hours in Metro Manila last 2009.

Agaton Rainfall

Agaton’s Rain January 10-17, 2014. (NASA-TRMM image)

According to NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, more than 1,168 mm (about 46 inches) of rain fell in northeastern Mindanao from January 10-17, 2014 in the LPA region that later developed into Bagyong Agaton.

The Agaton’s rainfall volume was described as “extremely high,” when compared to Bagyong Ondoy which dumped around 455 mm rains in Metro Manila for 24 hours. 

NASA also noted that Agaton’s rain was recorded at 154 mm per hour while Ondoy’s rain delivered 300 mm of rains in 6 hours at its height, or an average of 50 mm per hour.

NASA clarified on their report that the soil can absorb only between 40-60 mm in 6 hours without flooding as confirmed by scientists. NASA’s TRMM is providing updated data on rainfall amounts, floods inundation calculations, and landslide potential maps through their official website.

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