Typhoon Neneng report not from PAGASA

CEBU, Philippines — Reports have been circulating online that the approaching strong disturbance may reach super typhoon category that may cause massive impact to the country.

Local officers from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration of Lapu-Lapu City station are not denying the information.

But PAGASA-Cebu officer-in-charge Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. said the weather bureau has not issued any advisory that typhoon Mangkhut (international name) is seen to develop into super typhoon.

He said this forecast is rather based from international prediction centers where PAGASA also rely its information about disturbances outside PAR.

Quiblat said Mangkhut was spotted on Monday at 2,440 kilometers east of southern Luzon. It is expected to enter PAR by Wednesday night or Thursday morning and will be given local name “Neneng.”

He explained that once a weather system enters PAR, PAGASA could already provide more accurate information about it, especially on its movement and strength.

For now, recent forecasts show that there is 50 percent probability that the typhoon will make a landfall in northern Luzon, said Quiblat, or it may either cross only the northeastern boundary of PAR.

He, however, said that there may be significant changes in the weather pattern and he advised the public to only trust the information released by PAGASA.

Quiblat said several unverified reports are indeed posted online since the local station has been receiving calls from many people who are alarmed by the information they read in social media.

The down part is, he said, the online reports are quoting PAGASA that are apparently causing alarm and panic of the people.

Quiblat advised people to keep monitoring the  PAGASA-issued updates or browse their official website to get credible information.

In Sibonga town, three ‘gigantic’ trees were uprooted yesterday after a night of heavy rain.

One century-old acacia tree blocked the national highway in front of the church and plaza in Barangay Poblacion.

According to Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (LDRRMO) Damiano Ofqueria Jr., it was around 10 a.m. yesterday that the tree fell down.

One man, a person with a disability, suffered minor wounds after some tree branches hit him. He was rushed to the nearest health center and is safe now.

With the national highway blocked, the municipal government implemented a rerouting scheme.

Just before the acacia near the plaza fell down, a Dalakit tree was also uprooted inside Sibonga National High School compound. Ofqueria said no one was hurt.

About an hour later, another big tree was uprooted in Barangay Bagacay. As of press time, the specie of the tree is yet to be identified by the LDRRMO.

Ofqueria said that the loosening of the soil due to rain was the main cause of the uprooting of the three trees.

He assured the general public that the municipal government is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to clear the blocked path. (FREEMAN)