ILOILO – The provincial government, through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), will distribute rain gauges to local government units (LGUs) next month.
A rain gauge (also known as udometer, pluviometer, ombrometer, and hyetometer) is an instrument used by meteorologists and hydrologists to gather and measure the volume of liquid precipitation over a predefined area over a period of time. It is used for determining the depth of precipitation (usually a millimeter) that occurs over a unit area and thus measuring the rainfall amount.
PDRRMO head, Dr. Jerry Bionat, said more than 50 rain gauges were made by the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U).
The capitol allotted P800,000 for this.
Bionat said the rain gauges would help LGUs monitor rain levels in their respective localities without further waiting for an advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The rain gauges should be installed in an open area without cover or any obstruction from catching rainfall.
By being able to measure the volume of rain, LGUs could determine early on if an evacuation or suspension of classes is needed.
Bionat said not all LGUs in the province have rain gauges, which make them dependent on weather forecasts and announcements from PAGASA, and may cause delayed action or announcements during inclement weather.
The PDRRRMO head added that before the distribution, each LGU should designate personnel to monitor the rain gauge, who would then undergo training with the PDRRMO on how to use the instrument and measure the depth of rainfall using a meter stick.
Bionat also clarified that a rain gauge does not need to be installed in a fixed place since it is only needed during the rainy season./PN