MANILA, (PNA) — The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday afternoon placed Metro Manila under public storm warning signal no. 2 as typhoon “Santi” intensified further as it moves closer to the province of Aurora.
Weather Forecaster Chris Perez said that as of 5 p.m., the eye of the typhoon was located at 145 km East Southeast of Baler, Aurora (15.3°N, 123.0°E), and forecast to move West at 15 kph.
Santi’s wind strength increased from 130 kph to 150 kph on Friday afternoon noon while its gustiness also rose from 160 kph to 185 kph.
Perez said public storm warning signal no. 3 was now raised over Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Mt. Province, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Northern Quezon, Polilio Island and Northern Zambales, where winds of more than 100 kph up to 185 kph will be expected in at least 18 hours.
He said that 12 areas including Metro Manila have been placed under storm warning signal no.2 (61-100 kph winds) namely: Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Rest of Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal and rest of Quezon Province.
Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds), on the other hand, was hoisted over Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Lubang Islands, Marinduque, Camarines Provinces, Northern Mindoro and Catanduanes.
“Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signals Nos. 3, 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal Nos. 3 and 2 are alerted against storm surges,” PAGASA said.
The weather bureau said Santi may bring rainfall of 7.5 to 30.0 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 500-km diameter of the typhoon.
Perez said that Santi is expected to make a landfall over Aurora-Isabela on early Saturday.
With its present speed and movement, he noted that Santi may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Sunday evening.
Perez also said that the typhoon was forecast to be in the vicinity of Dagupan City by Saturday afternoon; and is expected to be at 390 km West of Dagupan City by Sunday afternoon.
By Monday afternoon, Santi is expected to be at 730 km West of Dagupan City or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said that Metro Manila, Rizal, northern Quezon including Polilio Island and the regions of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas. Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, northern Mindoro including Lubang Islands, rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines provinces, Catanduanes and Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas.
It added that the rest of Luzon and Panay Island will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms while the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds associated with Typhoon Santi may affect the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and of Visayas.
“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said.
Meanwhile, Perez said that the agency continues to monitor a tropical depression hovering off Pacific Ocean.
He noted that they expect the cyclone to enter the country on Monday.
Once it enters the Philippine territory, Perez said it will be named “Tino.”
However, he noted that just like typhoon “Ramil,” it will only stay briefly in the Philippine area of responsibility and is not expected to hit land in any part of the country.