The latest forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed that typhoon Betty has slightly decelerated on Monday, May 29. (MB Visual Content Group)
PAGASA, in its 11 a.m. bulletin, reported that they spotted the center of the eye of Betty 470 kilometers (km) east of Aparri, Cagayan, or 475 km east of Calayan, Cagayan, carrying maximum sustained winds of 155 kph and gustiness of up to 190 kph. It is also moving at a speed of 15 kph northwestward. "Kahit malayo ang sentro ng bagyong si Betty, nandito na po dapat yung preparation ng kababayan natin lalong lalo na sa northern Luzon area (Even if the center of typhoon is far from land, people should prepare especially to those living in the northern parts of Luzon),” said PAGASA Senior Weather Specialist Chris Perez. Areas of Batanes, the northern portion of Cagayan, and Babuyan Islands remained in tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 2. Residents of these areas were warned against strong winds and moderate to heavy rains which may lead to minor to a moderate threat to life and property. Meanwhile, the rest of the mainland of Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern and central parts of Aurora, Quirino, and the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, northern portion of Catanduanes, northern parts of Camarines Sur, Polillo Island, the northern portion of Camarines Norte, and northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur are still under Signal no. 1. Due to the combined influences of typhoon Betty and the southwest monsoon, PAGASA raised a gale warning in Batanes, the northern coast of Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Babuyan Island, Isabela, Aurora, the eastern coast of Quezon including Polillo Island, Camarines Norte, the eastern coast of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, the east coast of Albay, eastern Coast of Sorsogon. Gale warning is also in effect over Batangas, the southern coast of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Island, Cuyo Island, the western coast of Camarines Sur, west coast of Albay, western coast of Sorsogon, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, and Capiz, northern Samar, eastern Samar, Dinagat Island, the eastern coast of Surigao del Norte, Siargao, and Bucas Grande island. "Hanggat maari, huwag na muna pumalaot dito yung mga kababayan nating mangingisda at ang may mga maliliit na sasakyang pandagat (As much as possible our fishermen with small seacraft and other small sea vessels should avoid sailing [in places under gale warning alert]),” Perez added. *(Sonny Daanoy)*