By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, July 15 (PNA) — Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) made a landfall in Rafu-rafu Island, an islet between Albay and Sorsogon in Bicol region around 5p.m. Tuesday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Chris Perez told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that “Glenda” has slowed down from 24 kph to 19 kph and its movement has changed from moving westward to west northwest.
He added that it will transverse Albay, Camarines Sur and Norte , Pampanga, Quezon , Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and Bataan and will exit landmass via Zambales on Wednesday afternoon.
Perez said that once typhoon Glenda transverses the said areas, expect rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 20.0 mm per hour (moderate to intense) within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon.
Perez said that as of 4pm, the eye of the typhoon Glenda was spotted 60 km East of Legazpi City, Albay (13.1°N, 124.3°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.
Perez also said typhoon Glenda is expected to make landfall over Albay Tuesday evening then cross the Bicol Region towards Southern Luzon.
He added that it is expected to pass Metro Manila before noon Wednesday and in the vicinity of Bataan in the afternoon and will move towards the West Philippine Sea.
By Thursday afternoon, it will be at 370 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility or the typhoon will be headed towards Southern China.
PAGASA said that areas placed under Signal No. 3 (winds of 101-185 kilometers per hour is expected in at least 18 hours) were Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Northern Samar, northern part of Samar, and northern part of Eastern Samar.
Under Signal No 2 (61-100 kph winds is expected in at least 24 hours) were Southern Aurora, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Lubang Island, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Biliran, rest of Samar, rest of Eastern Samar, northern part of Leyte province and Metro Manila
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds is expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, LaUnion, Occidental Mindoro, rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Northern Cebu including Cebu City, and Camotes Islands.
PAGASA said residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal #3 #2 & #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal #3 and #2 are alerted against storm surges of up to 3 mtrs.
It added fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
In the next 24 hours forecast, PAGASA said Metro Manila, Bicol region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Southern Aurora, Pangasinan, northern part of Leyte and Samar will experience stormy weather while the provinces of Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Occidental Mindoro, rest of Leyte, Northern Cebu including Camotes islands will have rains with gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will be rough to very rough.
The rest of the country will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.
It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the rest of Luzon and coming from the west to southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas.(PNA)