Super Typhoon “Pepito” (international name: Man-yi) remains a powerful cyclone and a serious threat to Aurora and northern Quezon, as it may make another landfall in the next few hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, Nov. 17.
It first made landfall over Panganiban, Catanduanes at 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Sunday, PAGASA said Pepito’s maximum sustained winds remained at 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 230 kph.
The super typhoon is expected to continue moving northwestward at 20 kph, making landfall in Aurora on Sunday afternoon.
PAGASA said Pepito may slightly weaken and be downgraded to a typhoon before its second landfall. A significant weakening may also occur as it moves over mainland Luzon.
After its landfall in Aurora, Pepito will move across the northern portion of Central Luzon and southern portion of Northern Luzon, passing through the upland regions of the Sierra Madre, Caraballo, and Cordille Central between Sunday afternoon and evening.
The typphoon is expected to exit the Luzon landmass by Sunday evening and leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday morning or noon, Nov. 18.
Wind warnings still up
As of 11 a.m., Signal No. 5 remains hoisted over the eastern portion of Polillo Islands (Patnanungan, Jomalig), where extreme impacts from typhoon-force winds are expected.
Signal No. 4 is in effect over Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, southern portion of Ifugao (Kiangan, Lamut, Tinoc, Asipulo, Lagawe), southern portion of Benguet (Bokod, Itogon, Tuba, Baguio City, Kabayan, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tublay, Kapangan, Atok), southern portion of La Union (Burgos, Naguilian, Bauang, Caba, Tubao, Pugo, Aringay, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Agoo, Bagulin, City of San Fernando), eastern portion of Pangasinan (Sison, Tayug, Binalonan, San Manuel, Umingan, Asingan, San Quintin, Santa Maria, Natividad, San Nicolas, Balungao, Pozorrubio, Laoac, San Jacinto, San Fabian, Manaoag, City of Urdaneta, Villasis, Rosales), eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (General Tinio, Gabaldon, Laur, Bongabon, Palayan City, Pantabangan, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Lupao, San Jose City, Llanera, Carranglan), northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, including the rest of Polillo Islands), and Calaguas Islands. Significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds may be felt in these areas.
Signal No. 3 also remains raised over the southern portion of Isabela (San Agustin, Jones, Echague, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Alicia, San Mateo, Ramon, San Isidro, City of Santiago, Cordon, Dinapigue, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, City of Cauayan, Luna), the rest of Ifugao, Mountain Province, southern portion of Abra (Tubo, Luba, Pilar, Villaviciosa, San Isidro, Pidigan, Langiden, San Quintin), Ilocos Sur, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, the rest of Pangasinan, northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig), Tarlac, the rest of Nueva Ecija, northern portion of Pampanga (Candaba, Arayat, Magalang, San Luis, San Simon, Mexico, Santa Ana, Apalit, Santo Tomas, City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Angeles City), northern portion of Bulacan (Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Angat, City of San Jose del Monte, Santa Maria, Pandi, Baliuag, Bustos, Pulilan, Plaridel), northern portion of Rizal (Pililla, Tanay, City of Antipolo, Rodriguez, Baras, San Mateo, Morong, Teresa), eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti), central and eastern portions of Quezon (Real, Perez, Calauag, Alabat, Quezon, Mauban, Sampaloc), and western portion of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Labo, Capalonga, Paracale, Vinzons, San Vicente, Talisay, Daet, Jose Panganiban). These areas may experience “moderate to significant impacts” from storm-force winds.
Areas under Signal No. 2 are the rest of Isabela, southwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Enrile, Tuao, Solana, Tuguegarao City, Piat, Rizal), Kalinga, southern portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao), the rest of Abra, Ilocos Norte, the rest of Zambales, Bataan, the rest of Pampanga, the rest of Bulacan, Metro Manila, the rest of Rizal, Cavite, the rest of Laguna, the rest of Quezon, the rest of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and western portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, San Andres), “Minor to moderate impacts” from gale-force winds are possible.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is up in the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, Batangas, northern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Abra de Ilog, Paluan) including Lubang Islands, northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Naujan, Baco, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Pola, City of Calapan), northern portion of Romblon (Cajidiocan, San Fernando, Magdiwang, Romblon, Banton, Corcuera, Concepcion, San Andres, Calatrava, San Agustin), Marinduque, northern portion of Masbate (City of Masbate, Mobo, Aroroy, Baleno, including Burias and Ticao Islands), Albay, Sorsogon, and the rest of Catanduanes. These areas may experience “minimal to minor impacts” from strong winds.
Flood risks continue
Over the next 24 hours, PAGASA warned of intense to torrential rainfall (over 200) over Quezon, Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Sur, which could lead to widespread flooding and landslides.
Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) is also expected over Camarines Norte, Isabela, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Bulacan, and Aurora. PAGASA said “numerous flooding events” are possible, especially in urbanized, low-lying, or river-adjacent areas. Landslides are also likely in areas with “moderate to high” susceptibility.
Moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) is expected in Metro Manila, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Laguna, where localized flooding and landslides are possible.
PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to remain alert, as Pepito continues to pose a significant threat to lives, properties, and infrastructure.