Netizens have been sharing a text message claiming that a total of 25 tropical cyclones will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year. This is false.
Circulating since September, the text – written in Cebuano – listed the names of 25 storms that have hit and will supposedly hit the Philippines this 2024. It further warned readers to expect more storms because it is a leap year. The text was accompanied by a satellite image of a storm.
The message’s English translation read:
“GREAT DISASTER. THE YEAR 2024 IS A LEAP YEAR. THIS IS UNIQUE IN THE WHOLE DECADE IN THE WORLD. This is how we protect our friends from many storms in the world. At this time, we need to pray like this next time.
25 STORMS WILL ENTER THE YEAR 2024 LET’S ALL WATCH OUT.
Pls. Pray for safety
1. Aghon, 2. Butchoy, 3. Carina, 4. Dindo, 5. Light, 6. Ferdie, 7. January, 8. Helen, 9. Igme, 10.Julian, 11. Kristine, 12. Leon, 13. Marches, 14. Nika, 15. Ophel, 16. Pepito, 17. Querobin, 18. Romina, 19. Zions, 20. Tony, 21. To, 22. Vicky, 23. Warren, 24. Yoyong, 25. Zosimus.
These are all typhoons in the Philippines area of responsibility. (PAR)
Source:
DOST / PAG ASA”
The list is just the set of names that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) assigns to tropical cyclones once they enter the PAR. It is not a final list of confirmed typhoons to hit the Philippines.
Typhoon names are reused every four years, aside from those retired or decommissioned for causing severe damage and high casualties.
There were no statements from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) or PAGASA predicting 25 storms this year either.
Typhoon Leon, which is within the PAR as of writing, is the 12th to enter this year. PAGASA is expecting six more before the year ends bringing the predicted total to 18.
According to PAGASA, an average of 20 tropical cyclones enter PAR annually, with nearly 70% of them developing from July through October.
Publicly available data from PAGASA showed that, within the last eleven years, the highest number of tropical cyclones was recorded in 2013 when a total of 25 entered the country.
The false text continued to circulate this October as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine exited the PAR.
Several FB users and pages published the false text. An Oct. 25 post by a FB user garnered 73 comments and was shared 4,200 times. An earlier post by the FB page Buknoy News Channel (created on Jan. 24) also received 531 reactions, 120 comments and 4,200 shares.
Have you seen any dubious claims, photos, memes, or online posts that you want us to verify? Fill out this reader request form or send it to VERA, the truth bot on Viber.
(Editor's Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
