Wind signals raised in Luzon, Visayas areas

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday placed several areas in Luzon and the Visayas under wind signal No. 2, while signal 1 was raised in Metro Manila and other provinces amid the threat of Typhoon Egay.

At a briefing, PAGASA assistant weather specialist chief Chris Perez added that Typhoon Egay (Doksuri) may still develop into a super typhoon, adding that wind signals may reach No. 4 or 5 when it reaches the Batanes and Babuyan Island areas.

Perez said Egay is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Thursday.

He said Egay further intensified as it moved westward over the Philippine Sea.

“At 10 a.m., the center of the eye of Typhoon Egay was located 525 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

The center is still far, but because of the wide clouds it covers, the eastern portion of Luzon and the Visayas will experience rains brought by Egay. It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph,” he said.

According to Perez, Typhoon Egay will continue to move slowly in the next 24 hours. “On the other hand, areas in the western part of the country, particularly  the western section of Southern Luzon and the Visayas will be affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon.”

Perez said based on the latest forecast of PAGASA, this morning Egay is expected to be located 300 kms. east of Tuguegarao city and by Wednesday it is expected to be in the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan.

“By Thursday morning, it is expected to exit PAR with a distance of 240 kms. west of Itbayat, Batanes, and by Friday, it is possible it will be located at the southeastern part of China with distance of 595 kms. northwest of Itbayat,” he said.

Perez said among the areas covered by wind signal 2 were Catanduanes, central and eastern portion of Isabela, eastern portion of Albay; eastern portion of Camarines Sur, northern portion of Aurora, eastern portion of Quirino, eastern and central portion of Cagayan and northern portion of Camarines Norte.

In the Visayas, covered by wind signal 2 was the northeastern portion of Northern Samar, PAGASA added.

On the other hand, aside from Metro Manila, signal 1 was hoisted in Sorsogon, the rest of Albay, rest of Camarines Sur, rest of Camarines Norte, rest of Isabela, rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, rest of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Batanes, Masbate including Ticao Island, Burias Island, Quezon including Polillo Islands, rest of Aurora, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Marinduque, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, eastern and central portion of Romblon and northern and central portions of Batangas.

In Visayas, wind signal 1 was also raised in Eastern Samar, rest of Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, northern and central portion of Leyte and northern portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands.

“When wind signal is raised like Metro Manila, it is possible that the effect of Typhoon Egay is still not felt as we have a lead time of 36 hours or less so that affected residents can prepare. Areas near the center of Typhoon Egay can experience the effect of the typhoon, possibly within 24 hours,” Perez said.

He said areas affected by wind signal 2 and 1 may increase depending on the movement of the typhoon.

“By Tuesday, the accumulated rainfall could reach more than 200 millimeters in Batanes, Babuyan Island, Ilocos Norte and northwestern portion of Abra. Accumulated rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters of rain is expected in the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, rest of Abra and Ilocos Sur,” Perez said.

He said that around 50 to 100 millimeters of rain are expected for the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region and the rest of Ilocos region.

“By Tuesday until Wednesday afternoon, 50 to 100 millimeters of rain will be experienced for the rest of CAR, Pangasinan and Zambales,” he noted.

Perez added that the southwest monsoon will affect areas in Southern Luzon particularly Occidental Mindoro, northern part of Palawan and areas in Western Visayas.

“By Wednesday and Thursday, heavy rains are expected in Northern Luzon and the Bicol region and in Central and Southern Luzon and the Visayas because of the southwest monsoon,” he said.

Perez also warned of possible storm surge in coastal communities in Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.

“Gale warning was also raised in Batanes, northern and eastern portion of Luzon and Visayas, and northeastern part of Mindanao; Southern Luzon, Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Romblon and Marinduque,” he said.

The provincial government of Catanduanes on Monday suspended classes in public schools and work in government offices amid the threat of Typhoon Egay.

Sea, air travel

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has temporarily suspended travel of small vessels in Southern Quezon after storm signal No. 1 was raised yesterday due to Typhoon Egay.

PCG-Southern Quezon Commander Janus Robinson Sabas said the suspension covers the towns of Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Calauag, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Guinayangan, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdanganan, Gumaca, Atimonan and Tagkawayan.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said that Bicol International Airport operations remain normal, with no advice yet from airlines of any flight cancellation.

At Virac Airport, the Cebu Pacific Manila-Virac-Manila flight was cancelled as of 8 a.m. yesterday. — Rudy Santos