Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The Philippines has long carried the weight of the world’s most powerful storms, but Super Typhoon Ragasa has pushed the nation into yet another chapter of climate-induced devastation. What unfolded in late September 2025 was not just a natural disaster—it was a chilling testament to how human-caused climate change is rewriting the country’s weather reality.
A Storm Like No Other
Between September 20 and 21, Ragasa underwent extreme rapid intensification, strengthening by 137 kilometers per hour (85 mph) in barely 24 hours. By the time it reached its peak, the monster storm was packing sustained winds of 266 kph (165 mph)—making it the most powerful storm in the world this year.
According to climate scientists, the conditions that allowed Ragasa to explode in power were not ordinary. Sea surface temperatures in the Philippine Sea were 0.7 to 1.1°C above normal, providing a supercharged fuel source. Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index (CSI) analysis found that these unusually warm waters were 10 to 40 times more likely because of human-caused climate change.
Dr. Daniel Gilford, meteorologist and climate scientist, explained:
“Super Typhoon Ragasa intensified over waters made hotter by human-caused climate change. These exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures increased the chances that Ragasa would rapidly intensify — and it did, becoming the most powerful typhoon this year.”
When Ragasa Struck Home
On September 22, Ragasa roared into the Philippines, slamming Panuitan Island in the north. Its winds ripped roofs off houses, roads were cut off by landslides, and coastal villages were left underwater. At least three Filipinos were killed, and thousands more were forced to flee their homes.
For families already living on the edge, the typhoon was devastating. Farmers watched their crops vanish in a matter of hours, while fisherfolk saw their boats destroyed—their only means of livelihood gone. Mountain communities were left isolated as landslides blocked vital access roads.
It is a cruel reality for a nation ranked among the most disaster-prone in the world: every storm season brings not just rain and wind, but the haunting fear of another tragedy.
A Nation Bearing the Brunt
The Philippines has always been a frontline state in the battle against climate change. But Ragasa is a painful reminder that the fight is no longer about prevention—it is about survival.
Infrastructure remains fragile, with many homes built from light materials that cannot withstand super typhoon winds.
Communities lack resources for full recovery before the next storm hits.
Lives are repeatedly upended, with displacement, hunger, and poverty deepening after every disaster.
And yet, the science makes it clear: storms like Ragasa are not just acts of God. They are intensified by human choices—by decades of unchecked carbon emissions, deforestation, and reliance on fossil fuels.
Global Problem, Local Consequences
The Philippines may contribute less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is among the countries that suffer most. Ragasa’s fury is part of a wider pattern:
In August, Japan and South Korea baked in record-breaking heat, made five times more likely by climate change.
In the United States, wildfires and heatwaves pushed temperatures up to 30°F above normal, affecting millions.
Across the Atlantic, Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 strength, fueled by abnormally warm ocean waters.
These global events prove one thing: the crisis is shared, but the burden is not equal. Nations like the Philippines are paying the heaviest price for a warming world they did little to create.
Turning Grief into Action
The story of Ragasa should not end with its destruction. It should be a rallying cry for stronger climate action—both at home and abroad.
At the local level, the Philippines must strengthen disaster preparedness, enforce resilient building codes, and invest in renewable energy.
At the global stage, wealthier nations must be held accountable for financing climate adaptation and paying into the loss-and-damage fund agreed upon in international climate talks.
For Filipinos, the question is no longer whether the storms will come—it is how strong they will be, and how ready the country will be when they do.
Super Typhoon Ragasa was more than a weather event; it was a warning. And if the world does not act decisively, the Philippines will continue to live under the shadow of storms it did not summon but must endure.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
.jpg)
Post a Comment