Here is the Reason Why Typhoons Are Named After People
TYPHOON NAMES – Here is the main reason why the state weather agency PAGASA named typhoons after people.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has revealed the local names for the typhoons that may affect the Philippines in 2024 as we welcome in the New Year. Many people, however, wonder why typhoons are named after persons.
PAGASA launched the “Name A Bagyo” contest in 1998, where Filipinos were asked to submit names they’d like for typhoons entering PAR. A committee then selected 140 names from public submissions, considering factors such as potential controversy or political sensitivity.
Beginning in 2001, the weather agency produced four sets of names that were used in rotation each year. Set 1 was used in 2021, Set 2 in 2022, Set 3 in 2023, and Set 4 in 2024, for example.
The cycle continues, returning to Set 1 in 2025 and so on. Every four years, the names from each batch can be reused.
Each set has 25 names ranging from A to Z in the English alphabet (except for the letter X). Furthermore, ten auxiliary names are prepared if more than 25 typhoons enter PAR in a given year.
However, if a typhoon causes massive damage, killing 300 or more people and destroying over a billion pesos, PAGASA removes its name from the list. In 2013, “Yolanda” was replaced with “Yoyoy” after claiming over 6,300 lives and causing P132.4 billion in damages.
PAGASA removes the names of typhoons that caused harm to avoid causing trauma and bad memories for affected individuals.
READ ALSO: PAGASA Releases List of Philippine Tropical Cyclone Names in 2024
The Philippines is not new to the devastating effects of typhoons every year. Typhoon season usually runs from June to November. From August to October, typhoons are in aggressive activity causing heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges in several areas.