Pepito now a typhoon | ABS-CBN

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Pepito now a typhoon

Pepito now a typhoon

Ariel Rojas,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Nov 15, 2024 05:32 PM PHT

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MANILA — Pepito intensified into a typhoon on Friday morning, as it threatened to ravage areas still reeling from a string of weather disasters. 

PAGASA said Pepito was 620 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour and up to 160 kph gusts. 

It “will continue to rapidly intensify today through tomorrow and may reach super typhoon category prior to its landfall tomorrow evening or on Sunday early morning,” the state weather bureau warned. 

It said Pepito was likely to make landfall in Catanduanes. But considering uncertainty, PAGASA said it was not discounting possible landfall in Northern Samar; the eastern coast of Camarines Sur, Albay, or Sorsogon; or northern Quezon or Aurora. 

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“Regardless of the landfall point, Pepito will more likely move generally west northwestward over the weekend and pass over or near the landmass of Bicol Region, Quezon, Central Luzon provinces, and Pangasinan,” PAGASA said.

Pepito will be closest to Metro Manila midday to early afternoon Sunday.

It will then cross Central Luzon on Sunday evening and exit the Philippine area of responsibility before midday Monday.

Wind signal no. 5 will be the highest wind warning to be raised.

Pepito will bring very destructive and devastating winds along its immediate path, heavy to torrential rains in many parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas, and storm surge up to 3 meters which may be life-threatening.

Further changes in the track forecast are expected and the public is advised to continue monitoring updates on Pepito. 

Pepito’s path could be similar to last month's Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which accounted for most of the 159 deaths tallied in the recent swarm of weather disasters to hit the country.

Authorities on Friday ordered evacuations and suspended bus trips in areas in Pepito’s path. 

PAGASA raised wind signal no. 2 over the eastern portion of Northern Samar (Mapanas, Gamay, Palapag, Lapinig) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog). 

Signal 1 was up over the eastern portion of Northern Samar (Mapanas, Gamay, Palapag, Lapinig) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog). 

OFEL

Meanwhile, Ofel has weakened into a severe tropical storm after striking northern Luzon on Thursday, PAGASA said. 

At 10 a.m. Friday, it was spotted 215 kilometers northwest of Calayan, Cagayan. 

The storm will briefly exit the PAR this afternoon and re-enter early Saturday as it recurves. Ofel will cross southern Taiwan and eventually weaken into a low pressure area on Monday. 

Batanes remained under signal 2 due to Ofel. 

Signal 1 was still up over the northern portion of Cagayan (Pamplona, Claveria, Abulug, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, Ballesteros), Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Apayao (Luna, Santa Marcela, Calanasan) and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Bangui, Dumalneg, Burgos, Pasuquin, Vintar, Bacarra, Piddig, Carasi).

Ofel was the fifth storm to strike the country in just three weeks. 

The wave of cyclones since October has prompted the United Nations to request $32.9 million in aid for the worst-affected regions.

The national weather agency had initially raised its highest storm alert, but downgraded to its second-highest as Ofel made landfall.

Baggao police said no casualties or substantial damage were immediately reported, while 28 residents of a village were evacuated amid concern it would get flooded.

"It was weaker than we expected," a relieved police officer, Karen Ibarra, told AFP by phone.

President Ferdinand Marcos, visiting storm-affected areas to dole out emergency cash aid, urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.

"We know that it is difficult to leave your homes and possessions, but sheltering could save lives," he told residents of Mindoro island south of the capital Manila, according to an official transcript of his speech.

"While we cannot prevent typhoons from hitting the country, we can take steps to reduce their impact," he said, calling for better infrastructure to cope with worsening storm effects he blamed on climate change.

— With a report from Agence France-Presse

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