The new warning of yet another super typhoon issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is just too much, and defenselessly exhausting, after experiencing “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”

But PAGASA is serious as, in fact, it said the super typhoon could hit the country today or probably tomorrow.

Or is it on Wednesday, according to the latest report?

The typhoon, named “Ramil,” could follow the track hounded by “Pepeng,” PAGASA Deputy Director Nathaniel Cruz warned.

Nobody is taking the warning for granted. Already, the National Disaster Coordinating Council chaired by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has started deploying food and other needed materials and provisions in areas reported to be affected by the typhoon, particularly in northern provinces.

At the same time, health authorities have advised against outdoor activities to forestall being stranded or caught helpless around rising and onrushing floods.

As may be observed, since the other Saturday when tropical storm “Ondoy” shocked Metro Manila and most of Luzon with its surreal vengeance against the people’s continued mindlessness over climate and environmental problems, reports in photos and news stories persist and getting more and more painful and punishing, detrimental and unpleasant.

Everyday since then, and after typhoon “Pepeng” battered most of northern Luzon – the media in words and in living colors have been portraying in details the travails of people hopelessly plagued by the seemingly avenging weather condition.

What is pathetic is that some politicians find the national misfortune as reason to berate the government for what they see as total lack of preparations for such eventuality.

Of course, the government has many shortcomings but berating its officials in time of distress, instead of extending a helping hand, only heightens the national gloom.

Still on the politicians – and I mean those with little minds – it is terribly insensitive of them to be parading at the height of the floods and after, in the guise of visiting the flood victims in their moment of misery, waving their hands to dramatize their presence and their token assistance to appease the victims of fate, so to speak.

Incidentally, the rapid increase in the number of the so-called leptospirosis deaths has been  attributed to the volume of rain waters dumped on many parts of Metro Manila during “Ondoy’s” wanton savagery in the cities.

Leptospirosis is said to be a flood-borne disease which could also be transmitted by contaminated  food. It is spread through animal urine mixed with flood waters. Those with open wounds are highly susceptible to the disease, health department officials said.

The number of leptospirosis cases as of yesterday was place at 1,336 with 93 deaths. In Rizal province alone,18 were reported to have died of the disease.

It’s late but somehow Malacañang seems to be waking up to the idea that the public needs to be educated about climate change – “and how each person can help bring it under control.”

Even Vice President Noli de Castro appears appreciative of the information campaign, saying the Philippines should accept that “climate change and global warming are here and the Philippines should learn to adapt or face the consequences.”

As has already been mentioned here, climate change has a lot to do with the recent tropical storms that left important parts of the country dilapidated and in ruins.

(zhern_218@yahoo.com)