Super Typhoon Rosal enters PAR

MANILA, Philippines — A super typhoon, with the international name Champi, entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) yesterday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It entered PAR at 10:40 a.m. yesterday and was given the local name Rosal.

Based on the latest weather satellite at 4 p.m. yesterday, Rosal was located at 1,270 kilometers east of Central Luzon.

It was packing winds of 195 kms per hour and gusts of 240 kph while moving west northwest at 25 kph.

Benison Estareja, PAGASA weather specialist, said Rosal is not directly affecting the country so far.

However, its trough will bring rains in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas along with the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Palawan.

Estareja said Rosal will reach its peak within the next 24 hours, but will weaken by tomorrow.

It will move northwest to the Philippine Sea by Friday and exit PAR the next day.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) raised the alert status particularly in areas that might be affected by Rosal.

In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas yesterday morning, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said their deployable response group, composed of rescue swimmers and medical team, have been activated and placed on alert 24/7 in areas that might be affected by bad weather.

Cayabyab said they have also activated their search and rescue units in and near these areas. — Evelyn Macairan