Typhoon "Rolly" (international name "Goni") is somewhat similar to typhoon "Rosing" (international name "Angela") which pummeled Luzon 25 years ago.
Rosing was one of the strongest typhoons in the Philippines to hit land with maximum sustained winds of 180 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 240 kph as it approached the Bicol region and tore across Metro Manila at late evening of All Saint's Day in 1995.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Ariel Rojas said Rolly will be somewhat similar to the track and strength of Rosing.
Rolly is projected to make landfall over Catanduanes-Camarines Norte-Camarines Sur area Sunday, with maximum sustained winds between 185 kph and 205 kph. It is close to reaching the 220 kph maximum wind speed to be classified as a super typhoon.
Rojas said Rolly can be also compared to more recent typhoons "Glenda" (international name “Rammasun”) and "Milenyo" (international name “Xangsane”) that made landfall over Bicol and directly affected Metro Manila in 2014 and 2006, respectively.
To compare Rolly's strength, Rojas said this typhoon has a maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gustiness of up to 265 kph a day before its expected landfall, which is even stronger than that of Glenda and Milenyo when they hit land.
He noted that Glenda had 120 kph maximum sustained winds, while Milenyo had 155 kph maximum sustained winds upon their landfall.
Glenda left damage worth P38.616 billion while Milenyo's damage was estimated at P5.9 billion.
Rojas said Rolly can be considered so far the strongest tropical cyclone in the Western Pacific to form in 2020.
Headvised the public to prepare for Rolly's wrath, especially those along the path of the eyewall "where most destructive winds occur."
Since there is a slightly downward shift, PAGASA said Rolly may make landfall over Bicol then Quezon, before crossing Southern Luzon-Metro Manila from Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning.
These areas may bear the brunt of the typhoon that may unleash violent winds that can uproot trees, topple posts, and cut communication lines, as well as intense rainfall that can cause flooding, landslides, or sediment-laden streamflow or lahar in high-risk areas.