Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Natural disasters

Typhoons

Tropical Storms Ketsana and Parma caused severe flooding in low lying areas of Metro Manila and Luzon on 26 September 2009.  Some areas remain affected. Heavy rainfall in northern Philippines has resulted in flooding and landslides. You are advised to check the latest weather forecasts and advisories at:  http://www.typhoon2000.ph.  You can access the latest information on the National Disaster Co-ordinating Council's website ndcc.gov.ph. The typhoon season in the Philippines normally runs from July to November however typhoons can affect the country at any time. Over twenty tropical cyclones hit the country each year. This is also the rainy season and flooding and landslides may occur.  Tropical depressions and cyclones typically bring strong winds and rain to the Visayas and Luzon regions, and particular care should be taken when travelling to Northern Luzon and the Bicol, Samar and Leyte regions.  

During the typhoon season you should exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities. You can also access www.typhoon2000.ph for updates.  Please also see Tropical cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a typhoon. See also the National Travel Health Network and Centre website for more details at: http://www.nathnac.org.travel/news/Ketsana_Philippines_290909.htm.

Volcanoes

There are numerous volcanoes in Philippines, any of which can erupt without warning.  Sudden steam and ash explosions may occur at any time. Since July 2007 both Bulusan volcano in Sorsogon Province and Kanloan volcano in Negros Oriental Province have shown increased volcanic activity. Mayon volcano in Albay Province, south east Luzon, also continues to show signs of volcanic activity. There is currently a 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano and a 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the south-east flank of the volcano that are off limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes.  Three tourists were killed on Mount Pinatubo on 6 August 2009 when their vehicles were swept away by lahar (a mixture of volcanic ash and water) following heavy rainfall.

The capacity of the Philippine emergency and rescue services to deal with large natural disasters is limited. You are advised to exercise caution, check news reports and follow local advice before travelling to volcanic areas. You are also advised to avoid volcanic areas during and immediately after heavy rainfall when there is increased risk of lahar flows. More information can be found on the PHIVOLCS website: http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.

Earthquakes

The Philippines is in an earthquake zone.  The last significant earthquake to affect the Philippines was on July 16 1990 in Central Luzon when over 1100 people were killed.