Tropical Storm Man-Yi is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday night, Nov. 14, where it will be named “Pepito”, the 16th tropical cyclone to hit the country this year and the sixth in less than a month.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) urged the public to prepare as the approaching cyclone will bring heavy to intense rains. It was last located approximately 1,965 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gusts reaching up to 80 km/h as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.
“Man-Yi is anticipated to intensify into a severe tropical storm within the next 24 hours and is likely to reach typhoon category by tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon or evening, with the possibility of rapid intensification not ruled out. There is also a chance that it could reach super typhoon strength prior to landfall,” the OCD spokesperson Director Edgar Posadas said in a statement Wednesday.
“While specific areas affected by hazards are still uncertain due to shifting track forecasts, most areas in Luzon face risks of heavy rainfall, severe winds, and potential storm surge inundation, which may cause considerable impacts. Hazards may also be experienced outside the immediate landfall zone,” he added.
As the storm progresses, it is expected to continue its west-southwest movement over the next 12 hours before turning generally westward as it approaches the eastern boundary of PAR, the OCD noted.
“Coastal conditions are expected to deteriorate, leading to moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard of the country beginning late Friday or Saturday. Public and disaster management offices are urged to stay updated on this developing situation as the storm approaches,” it said.
Pepito will add to the woes of Luzon and Visayas which have been drenched since the past three weeks by typhoons “Kristine” (entered PAR on Oct. 22), “Leon” (Oct. 27), “Marce” (Nov. 4), “Nika” (Nov. 9), and “Ofel” (Nov. 12).
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the combined impact of the recent typhoons Nika and Ofel has affected 195,532 individuals (52,551 families) in five regions: Ilocos Region (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Around 43,000 people were displaced by Nika and Ofel and they were staying at 562 evacuation centers.
No one died due to Nika and Ofel so far but two persons were reported injured in Central Luzon.
Flood remains a problem in 52 areas in Cagayan Valley while 325 houses were damaged in Regions 1, 2, 3 and CAR.
A total of 105 road sections and 88 bridges were also damaged by Nika and Ofel while 49 areas were still without power supply in Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.
The OCD said the government continues to deliver relief aid to areas affected by the two typhoons, with total distributed aid amounting to P4.2 million.