“Pepito” (international name: Man-yi) is expected to make landfall over the northern or central portion of Catanduanes within the next two hours, Saturday, Nov. 16.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its 8 p.m. bulletin, reported that STY Pepito is forecast to move generally west-northwestward. It will make landfall between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight near peak intensity as a “super typhoon.”
PAGASA said the center of the eye of STY Pepito was estimated at 70 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. It is moving northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h.
‘Pepito’s’ track and intensity outlook
After passing over or close to Catanduanes, PAGASA said “Pepito” will continue moving west-northwestward over the waters north of the Camarines provinces, with a landfall or close approach over the Calaguas Islands not ruled out, until early Sunday morning, Nov. 17.
PAGASA said “Pepito” will pass close to the Polillo Islands “between tomorrow morning and noon, before making landfall over northern Quezon or central to southern Aurora between tomorrow noon and afternoon.”
“Pepito” will then cross the northern portion of Central Luzon and the southern portion of Northern Luzon — along the upland areas of the Sierra Madre, Caraballo, and Cordillera Central — between Sunday afternoon and evening, Nov. 17.
PAGASA added that “Pepito” will emerge over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, Nov. 18.
“Pepito” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by the morning or afternoon of Nov. 18.
Wind signals
Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur including Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, and Presentacion were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5.
Signal No. 4 is in effect over Camarines Norte, the northern and southeastern portions of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, San Jose, Tigaon, Sagñay, Calabanga), and the northeastern portion of Albay (City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malinao, Malilipot, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu).
Aurora, Polillo Islands, the northern and eastern portions of mainland Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, Lopez, Quezon, Perez, Alabat, Gumaca, Plaridel, Atimonan, Real, General Nakar, Infanta, Mauban, Sampaloc), the eastern portion of Rizal (Tanay, Pililla), the northeastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti), 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) were placed under Signal No. 2.
PAGASA raised Signal No. 2 over Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, the rest of Rizal the rest of Laguna, Cavite, the rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Burias Island, Ticao Island, and the rest of Sorsogon.
Northern Samar, the northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Gandara), and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo) were likewise placed under Signal No. 2.
Signal No. 1 was raised in mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, 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 in Luzon.
In Visayas, 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, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo), the northernmost portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin) including Bantayan Islands, and the northernmost portion of Iloilo (Carles) were also placed under Signal No. 1.
Heavy rainfall and storm surge
PAGASA warned of heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surges, which may affect areas outside the landfall point.
Peak storm surge heights exceeding 3.0 meters may occur in the next 48 hours over low-lying coastal areas, including the Ilocos Region, Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Bicol Region, and parts of Samar and Northern Samar.
A gale warning has also been issued for the eastern and southern seaboard of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.