Typhoon Matmo (Henry locally) is centred east of the Philippines and expected to continue to intensify over the next few days to threaten Taiwan, China and south-west islands of Japan.

Philippines Amateur Radio Association Chief Operating Officer,  Thelma Pascua DU1IVT said the typhoon comes less than a week after Typhoon Rammasun and immediately follows a DU-Simulated Emergency Test.

Thelma DU1IVT said: “I have again requested our National Traffic System Chairman, Jojo Vicencio to activate the Ham Emergency Radio Operation (HERO) network on 7095 kHz.

“This is due to the effects and proximity of the current Typhoon Matmo (Henry locally). It has been rainy in almost the entire archipelago with threats
of landslides and flooding.”

HERO provided help during the recent Typhoon Rammasun (Glenda), a category three storm, that  came ashore in the Philippines killed at least 40 people, caused the evacuation of 530,000 and widespread damage.

Matmo formed well east of the Philippines on Thursday, and has gained strength over days to official have minimum strength to be declared a typhoon. The HERO Network of radio amateurs is trained and prepared.

Matmo is expected north of southern China and Vietnam that where Rammasun landed a few days ago.

Super Typhoon Haiyan last year, one of the world’s biggest to have made landfall, killed at least 6,300 people and 1,000 were still missing. About 20 storms hit the Philippines each year. Early attention is also watching a further potential storm that could develop.

-Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.