By Brian Campued
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed the province of Batanes under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Typhoon Gorio (international name: Podul) maintains strength over the Philippine Sea this Tuesday.
In its bulletin, the state weather bureau said “Gorio” was last monitored 560 km east of Itbayat, Batanes. It packs maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, while moving westward at 25 kph.
According to PAGASA Weather Specialist John Manalo, the typhoon is forecast to move generally northwestward towards the eastern coast of Taiwan.
It will slightly intensify before making landfall over the eastern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 13.
Gorio is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by tomorrow evening.
“At hihina na ito from typhoon to severe tropical storm at mas hihina pa ito pagpasok niya sa China na magiging tropical storm na lang at tropical depression and eventually ay magiging isang low pressure area,” Manalo said in a public briefing.
Manalo explained that Gorio currently does not directly affect the country nor significantly enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat).
“Patuloy pa rin ‘yong epekto nitong hanging habagat dito sa MIMAROPA region, kasama ‘yong Western Visayas, particularly ‘yong Negros Island Region, at Western Mindanao, dito sa Zamboanga Peninsula,” he said.
“Magiging maulap po ‘yong lagay ng panahon sa mga nabanggit nating lugar at mataas ‘yong tiyansa ng mga pag-ulan, pero in terms of intensity ay hindi naman sobrang lalakas katulad ng mga naranasan natin last month.”
Manalo was referring to the onslaught of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong and the enhanced habagat in July, which caused widespread flooding across most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
However, if the typhoon moves lower than its forecast track due to the cone of probability, PAGASA may raise TCWS No. 2 in Batanes and put Babuyan Islands and the northern portions of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and Cagayan under TCWS No. 1.
Meanwhile, habagat will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Babuyan Islands and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte on Wednesday.
Moderate to heavy rains (50–100 mm of rainfall) are also expected over Batanes, which may cause localized flooding and landslides.
While no gale warning has been hoisted in any parts of the country due to the tropical cyclone, the state weather bureau still cautioned mariners in Extreme Northern Luzon as waves may reach up to 3.5 meters.
-jpv
