Bicol residents were warned to prepare for a “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation” as Super Typhoon “Pepito” intensified further, with the highest storm signal no. 5 raised over Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Presentacion).
Moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), the center of its eye was last estimated 120 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.
“Pepito is more likely to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes by Saturday night or Sunday early morning,” state weather bureau PAGASA said.
“However, considering the limits of the forecast confidence cone, a landfall scenario over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur or Albay during the same time frame (if it moves slightly south of forecast track), or along the eastern coast of Quezon or Aurora tomorrow afternoon or evening remains (if it moves slightly north of forecast track) not ruled out.”
The super typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Saturday urged all residents of low-lying and coastal areas of 23 provinces as well as Metro Manila to prepare for storm surges which could reach as high as five to seven meters.
“This is no joke. Evacuate now,” said Remulla in a Facebook post.
“This early, we are asking everyone in the coastal barangays in the provinces to evacuate their people from 10 meters aways from the sea. Possible storm surge could be higher than a house once it reaches the coast,” he added.
Several areas in the Bicol region already experienced storm surges ahead of Pepito’s landfall, the Office of Civil Defense Region 5 said Saturday.
“There were already areas affected by storm surges – Catanduanes, Tiwi, Malinao, Rapu-Rapu, and Legazpi City,” OCD Region 5 Director Claudio Yucot said in an interview on dzBB.
Evacuation centers were filling up in Catanduanes, with the state weather forecaster warning of “widespread incidents of severe flooding and landslides.”
More than 400 people were squeezed into the provincial government building in the capital Virac, with new arrivals being sent to a gymnasium, provincial disaster officer Roberto Monterola said.
In Northern Samar province, disaster officer Rei Josiah Echano lamented damage caused by typhoons was the root cause of poverty in the region.
“Whenever there’s a typhoon like this, it brings us back to the mediaeval era, we go (back) to square one,” Echano said. With AFP
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways said seven national road sections in northern Luzon remain impassable due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones “Nika,” “Ofel,” and “Pepito.”
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said there were additional road closures in Apayao, Ifugao, and Batanes caused by landslides, soil collapses, and washed-out infrastructure.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Bicol warned as ‘Pepito’ poses ‘potentially catastrophic, life-threatening’ threat.”
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