The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned of a "potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation" for the Northeastern Bicol region as Super Typhoon Pepito further intensified.
In an advisory issued at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16, PAGASA said it has located the center of the eye of "Pepito" at 145 km east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar.
PAGASA reported that "Pepito" is moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h.
Signal No. 5
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5, the highest possible wind signal that can be raised during the occurrence of "Pepito," has been hoisted in Catanduanes.
"A very intense typhoon will affect the locality," said PAGASA. "Very strong winds of more than 185 km/h may be expected within at least 12 hours," it added.
TCWS No. 4 has been raised in the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Tigaon, Sagñay) and the northeastern portion of Albay (City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malinao, Malilipot, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu).
Meanwhile, Signal No. 3 has been raised in the Polillo Islands, the southeastern portion of mainland Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista), Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay, and the northern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat, Barcelona, Castilla, Casiguran, Pilar, Donsol). It also covers the eastern and central portions of Northern Samar (Palapag, Laoang, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Catubig, Pambujan, Las Navas, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, San Roque, Silvino Lobos, Lope de Vega, San Jose) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Jipapad).
Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the southern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, Cordon, Ramon, Alicia, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, City of Santiago, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, San Mariano, Benito Soliven, Naguilian, Palanan), Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the eastern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Umingan, Natividad, San Quintin, Tayug, Santa Maria, Rosales, Balungao, San Manuel, Villasis, Malasiqui, Bautista, Mapandan, Binalonan, Alcala, Asingan, Santo Tomas, City of Urdaneta, Laoac, Manaoag, Bayambang, Santa Barbara), Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, the southern portion of Zambales (Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso, San Antonio, Castillejos, Subic, Olongapo City), Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, Marinduque, the rest of Sorsogon, Burias Island, and Ticao Island.
The central portion of Eastern Samar (Dolores, Maslog, Can-Avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, City of Borongan), the northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Tarangnan, Motiong, Gandara, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Pagsanghan), and the rest of Northern Samar are also under TCWS No. 2.
PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 in mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Zambales, Batangas, the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Santa Cruz, Mamburao, Abra de Ilog, Paluan) including Lubang Islands, the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Naujan, Baco, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Gloria, Pola, City of Calapan, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay), Romblon, and the rest of Masbate.
The rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Biliran, the northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo, Abuyog, Javier, City of Baybay, Mahaplag), the northeastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago), the northernmost portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin), including Bantayan Islands, and the northernmost portion of Iloilo (Carles) in the Visayas, and the northern portion of Dinagat Islands (Loreto, Tubajon) in Mindanao are also under Signal No. 1.
Heavy rainfall and storm surge
PAGASA warned of heavy rainfall and severe winds in areas affected by "Pepito." There is also a "high risk of life-threatening storm surge," with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m in the next 48 hours over low-lying or exposed coastal localities in Ilocos Region (western coast), Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar and Biliran.
Landfall and exit
PAGASA expects "Pepito" to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes tonight or early tomorrow morning (Nov. 17).
However, considering the forecast confidence cone, a landfall scenario over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur or Albay remains possible, if the typhoon moves slightly south of the forecast track, PAGASA said.
Alternatively, landfall along the eastern coast of Quezon or Aurora tomorrow afternoon or evening is also a possibility, should it shift northward, it added.
PAGASA anticipates that "Pepito" will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Nov. 18, Monday.
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https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/16/high-storm-surge-risk-due-to-pepito