The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) urged the areas hit by typhoon Neneng (international name: Nesat) to prepare for the approaching tropical depression Obet as it may also bring heavy rains over Northern Luzon this weekend.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 19, PAGASA Deputy Administrator Esperanza Cayanan said areas that were affected by Neneng may also likely be affected by Obet.
Some areas that were significantly affected by Neneng when it made landfall last weekend were Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
“Kailangan natin paghandaan para makaiwas tayo sa sakuna (We need to prepare for tropical depression Obet to avoid disaster,” Cayanan said.
She pointed out that Obet may have the same amount of rainfall as Neneng.
“ Friday early morning (Oct. 21) through Saturday early morning (Oct. 22), moderate to heavy with at times intense rains possible over the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over Batanes, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of mainland Cagayan,” PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin issued on Wednesday.
“ Saturday early morning through afternoon, light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portions of Abra and Ilocos Sur,” it added.
PAGASA warned against possible flooding or landslides, especially in areas that are prone to these hazards or have experienced significant rainfall due to Neneng and the shear line—a region where warm and cold winds converge.
Track and intensity forecast
As of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Obet’s location was estimated 920 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph, while moving west-southwestward at 10 kph.
“Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted for some areas in Northern Luzon tonight or tomorrow morning (Oct. 19) at the earliest. Nevertheless, the prevailing northeasterly surface wind flow will bring strong to gale-force winds over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte in the next 24 hours,” PAGASA said.
It added that the highest possible wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Obet is Signal No. 2.
The weather disturbance may also intensify into a tropical storm between late Friday and early Saturday morning.
“On the track forecast, the center of Obet may traverse extreme Northern Luzon or the northern portion of mainland Northern Luzon between Friday evening and Saturday morning,” PAGASA said.