By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Typhoon “Paeng” (international name “Trami”) continues to move towards extreme Northern Luzon, but its effect may not be as strong as typhoon “Ompong” (Mangkhut).
(satellite image courtesy of PAGASA / MANILA BULLETIN)
(satellite image courtesy of PAGASA / MANILA BULLETIN)
However, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Division's Marine Meteorological Services Section Chief Rene Paciente said the public, particularly those in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), should remain on alert for possible landslides due to saturated soil from recent rains.
Paeng comes more than a week after Ompong left a trail of destruction in Northern Luzon.
PAGASA Administrator Vicente Malano said Paeng may not be as powerful as Ompong but the public should not let their guard down and remain vigilant for possible landslides and flash floods caused by Paeng and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
“Paeng’s effect may be less intense than Ompong because it is only expected to cross the tip of Northern Luzon, unlike Ompong that crossed the landmass of Luzon,” Malano said.
“But even if only moderate rains or thunderstorms will affect Ompong-hit areas, the possibility of landslides occurring in these areas is still,” Paciente said.
Around Monday afternoon, Paeng was 905 kilometers (km) east of Aparri, Cagayan. It has further intensified with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 225 kph.
However, Paciente said Paeng could still reach 200 to 205 kph maximum sustained winds as it continues to move over bodies of water.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Aldczar Aurelio said Paeng was currently moving west-northwest at 20 kph but is expected to slightly slow down by Tuesday until Thursday.
As Paeng picks up speed and move towards Batanes or Taiwan by Friday, Aurelio said PAGASA will likely raise tropical cyclone warnings over extreme Northern Luzon by Thursday or Friday.
Paciente said light to moderate rains can be expected over the extreme Northern Luzon area as early as Thursday, while the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon will bring light to occasional moderate rains over Metro Manila by Friday.
Paeng, Paciente said, will likely move outside the country’s area of responsibility by Saturday.