MANILA, Philippines โ Signal No. 5 has been raised over Catanduanes as Super Typhoon Pepito further intensified, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Saturday afternoon.
In its 2 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA described the situation as โpotentially catastrophic and life-threateningโ for the northeastern Bicol Region as Pepito continues to strengthen.
Areas Under Storm Signals:
Signal No. 5
Catanduanes
Signal No. 4
Northeastern Camarines Sur: Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Tigaon, Sagรฑay
Northeastern Albay: Tabaco City, Tiwi, Malinao, Malilipot, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu
Signal No. 3
Luzon
Polillo Islands
Southeastern Quezon: Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista
Camarines Norte
Rest of Camarines Sur and Albay
Northern Sorsogon: Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon City, Gubat, Barcelona, Castilla, Casiguran, Pilar, Donsol
Visayas
Eastern and Central Northern Samar: Palapag, Laoang, and surrounding areas
Northern Eastern Samar: San Policarpo, Arteche, and nearby municipalities
Signal No. 2
Luzon
Southern Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora
Eastern Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Southern Zambales, and Bataan
Metro Manila, Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, Marinduque, Burias, and Ticao Islands
Visayas
Central Eastern Samar: Dolores, Maslog, and nearby areas
Northern Samar: Calbayog City and adjacent municipalities
Signal No. 1
Luzon
Mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, and Ifugao
Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and Masbate
Visayas and Mindanao
Portions of Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Iloilo, and Dinagat Islands
Super Typhoon Pepito’s Strength and Track
As of 1 p.m., the eye of Pepito was located 200 km east of Juban, Sorsogon, or 180 km east-southeast of Virac, Catanduanes. The typhoon carries maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h, gusts of up to 240 km/h, and a central pressure of 920 hPa. It is moving west-northwest at 20 km/h.
Typhoon-force winds extend up to 300 km from the center, posing significant risks to communities in its path.
Storm Surge Warning
PAGASA has issued a high-risk warning for life-threatening storm surges, with peak heights exceeding 3.0 meters, affecting coastal areas of the Ilocos Region, Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran.
A gale warning has also been raised over the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.
Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as Super Typhoon Pepito continues to intensify.
About The Author
