According to information received from International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 (IARU-R3), the Philippine Amateur Radio Association’s Ham Emergency Radio Operations (HERO) network activated on July 7 at 2145 UTC, as fears arose that super typhoon Nepartak could amplify the effects of the southwest monsoon. Heavy rains in some areas caused schools to preemptively cancel classes.

HERO operator DV7DRP opened the net on 7095 kHz at 2300 UTC on July 7 with relay net controls DU1IVT, DU7DUG, and DU1EQ. Propagation necessitated relays and a handoff of net control duties to DU1VHY.

Rainfall of varying intensity was reported, but flooding on the streets of affected areas was mostly minor. River conditions in the metro Manila area were also being tracked, with the Marikina River at 13.7 meters. In general, rainfall has concentrated in the central Luzon and Metropolitan Manila areas.

At one point bearing winds of 150 MPH, Nepartak struck Taiwan on July 7, leaving 2 dead and several injured, before weakening as it headed for a second landfall on the Chinese mainland. — Thanks to Roberto “Jojo” Vicencio, DU1VHY via Southgate Amateur Radio News