Typhoon "Jolina" (international name "Conson") continues to move west-northwest over Samar Sea towards the general direction of Masbate, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 8 a.m. bulletin on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
It has so far made four landfalls. These were in Hernani, Eastern Samar (10 p.m.) on Monday, Sept. 6; and in Daram, Samar (2 a.m.), Sto Niño, Samar (3:40 a.m.), and Almagro, Samar (6:30 a.m.).
Jolina has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 150 kph while moving west-northwest at 15 kph.
With the anticipated passage of Jolina, PAGASA has hoisted tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 over the northern and eastern portions of Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island, extreme western portion of Northern Samar, northern portion of Biliran (Kawayan, Maripipi, Almeria), and northwestern portion of Samar (Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Calbayog City).
Signal No. 2 was also raised over Albay, Sorsogon, the rest of Masbate, western and southern portions of Camarines Sur, western portion of Camarines Norte, Marinduque, southern portion of Quezon, eastern portion of Romblon, the rest of Biliran, western portion of Northern Samar, the rest of Samar, and northern portion of Leyte.
Signal No. 1 is in effect in Metro Manila, Catanduanes, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Camarines Norte, the rest of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Bulacan, the rest of Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, the rest of Northern Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Leyte, northern portion of Southern Leyte, northern portion of Cebu including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, northeastern portion of Iloilo, northern portion of Aklan, and northern portion of Capiz.
PAGASA warns of heavy rains, wind gusts, storm surges
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said Jolina may bring heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Sorsogon, Albay, Romblon, and Masbate.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also affect the southern portion of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and the rest of Bicol region and Visayas.
"Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps," PAGASA warned.
Likewise, destructive typhoon-force winds may occur in areas under Signal No. 3.
Jolina may also bring strong to gale-force winds in areas under Signal No. 2 and strong winds with occasional gusts in areas under Signal No. 1.
"In the next 24 hours, the threat of coastal inundation due to storm surge up to 0.5-1.0 m (meter) continues for several coastal localities of Biliran, Sorsogon, Samar, and Masbate," PAGASA said.
More landfalls expected
Within 12 hours, PAGASA said the typhoon will likely make landfall in the vicinity of Masbate, likely over the mainland or Ticao Island.
After its landfall in Masbate, PAGASA said Jolina will likely move northwest towards Burias Island and Ragay Gulf before making another landfall in the vicinity of southeastern Quezon between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, Sept. 8.
"Prolonged interaction with land may result in its weakening into a severe tropical storm," PAGASA said.
By Wednesday afternoon, Jolina may briefly emerge over Lopez Bay before making another landfall in the vicinity of northern Quezon province.
Afterward, the tropical cyclone is seen to cross Central Luzon, roughly to the east and north of Metro Manila.
"Frictional effects" while crossing the Luzon landmass will likely lead to the weakening of the cyclone to tropical storm category, PAGASA added.
"Jolina is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea before noon on Thursday (Sept. 9). Re-intensification is forecast to occur beginning Thursday afternoon as the tropical cyclone moves west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea towards the southern China-northern Vietnam area," it said.