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A. Context: Multiple Cyclones in Catanduanes in 2024
The Island Province of Catanduanes lies along the typhoon corridor of the Philippines and is regularly exposed to multiple tropical cyclones each year. In 2024, the province endured a particularly difficult sequence of climate events. Following a period of extreme heat during the second quarter, Catanduanes was struck directly and indirectly by five consecutive tropical cyclones before the landfall of Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) on 16 November 2024.
The series began with Tropical Cyclone Kristine (Trami) in October, followed by Leon (Kong-rey),
Nika (Toraji), and Ofel (Usagi), bringing floods, landslides, and prolonged heavy rains. These events disrupted daily life - causing repeated class and work suspensions, cancellation of air and sea transport, and interruptions in the movement of goods. Livelihood activities were also severely affected, particularly for daily wage earners, small farmers, abaca growers, laborers, and fishers who lost income and production opportunities.
As humanitarian actors were still responding to the impacts of earlier storms, PAGASA forecast that another system - Tropical Cyclone Pepito (Man-yi) - would intensify and make landfall in Catanduanes. In view of this threat, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) of Bato activated its Anticipatory Action (AA) Protocol. The decision was supported by the results of a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) showing high exposure to strong winds, heavy precipitation, storm surge, and floods that could further endanger vulnerable populations, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.
Tropical Cyclone Pepito intensified from a tropical storm to typhoon strength, with winds exceeding 150 km/h and made landfall in Panganiban, one of the EWEARR project areas.