Update on tropical storm Parma

October 6, 6:01 AMLiving Abroad ExaminerSidra Morris

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Residents in Manila use tricycles and boats to resume work on Monday (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Both Taiwanese and Filipinos are prepared for the unpredictability of storms during typhoon season. The storm system Parma has been an excellent example of why. 

After Parma left northern Philippines on Sunday and headed into the Bashi Channel toward Taiwan, the capital of Philippines, Manila, was relieved that the worst of the storm had missed them. It was quite devastating to the northeast of them, as the super typhoon packed strong winds which downed trees and power lines as well as ripping off roofs. The most damage, however, has been from the heavy rains and flooding which has destroyed millions of dollars of crops and left thousands homeless as well as causing at least 17 deaths.

Taiwan, in anticipation of the approaching storm, has evacuated 6,000 of it's mountainous villages , many of which are still trying to recover after August's big typhoon, Morakot, devastated much of southern Taiwan with record rainfall and flooding.

Parma surprised both islands as it stalled in the Bashi Channel between the two islands on Sunday, delivering heavy rainfall to both. The storm continues to stall today, Tuesday the 5th, bringing continued rain which is causing mudslides and flooding along Taiwan's east coast and southern tip, as well as throughout northern Philippines. The stall is being caused by another typhoon, Melor, which is churning to the northeast of Parma and is threatening either Japan or the coast of China, though Philippines and Taiwan are still under typhoon warning.

The biggest shock of Parma is that it has completely begun to turn around, as it was headed in a north westerly direction previous to the stall, and is now headed south south-westerly. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday, with winds now at 59 mph and gusts of up to 79 mph, according to the Associated Press, but still threatens to bring continued rain to both Taiwan and Philippines through Thursday.