The state weather bureau is not ruling out the possibility of cyclone Paeng’s (international name: Nalgae) “rapid intensification” in the next 72 hours.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Paeng was last spotted 510 kilometers (km) east of Borongan City, eastern Samar, with maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
“Paeng is forecast to further intensify while moving over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category within 24 hours and may intensify into a typhoon by Saturday, ,” said PAGASA.
“The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out,” it added.
Wind Signal No. 1 now raised in 10 PH areas
More areas are now placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1as Paeng traverses the Philippine Sea and moves closer to the country’s landmass.
TCWS No. 1 was hoisted in the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island, eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte.
Residents of these areas were told to brace for strong winds and intermittent rains that could bring minimal to minor threat to life and property within 36 hours.
'Paeng' to drench most of LuzViMin
Apart from strong winds, tropical storm Paeng will bring moderate to heavy rains over Bicol region and eastern Visayas beginning Friday, Oct. 28.
The heavy to torrential rains will likewise begin on Friday, particularly affecting the Bicol region, northern Samar, Marinduque, and Quezon.
“Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains possible over Metro Manila, western Visayas, Bulacan, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, and the rest of eastern Visayas and Calabarzon,” said PAGASA.
“Light to moderate with at times rains over Cordillera Administrative Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, and the rest of Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and MIMAROPA,” it furthered.
The state weather bureau is not eliminating the possibility of the cyclone’s close land approach – specifically in Catanduanes on Saturday, Oct. 29, and a “landfall scenario” on Sunday, Oct. 30, over the eastern coast of Aurora or Quezon. The possible landfall scenario in the eastern portion of Bicol is also not ruled out.