MANILA — Rough seas are likely until Thursday (Nov. 1) along Luzon’s western portion due to Typhoon Rosita, endangering small vessels in those waters.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecast “Rosita” to be already outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by then, but the tropical cyclone can still reach and fan waters along the stretch of west-lying Ilocos Region to Bataan province.
This might create sea turbulence in the area, PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.
“It’ll be dangerous for small vessels to sail on those waters,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday.
He advised fisherfolk and other users of small vessels to avoid sailing in the area while the waters are rough.
In its 2 p.m. severe weather bulletin on Monday, PAGASA said “Rosita,” is a tropical cyclone of typhoon category, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near its center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
PAGASA said “Rosita” may landfall on Tuesday morning in the Southern Isabela-Northern Aurora area, then traverse Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, and La Union provinces.
Estareja said “Rosita” might weaken to a severe tropical storm, packing winds of 100 kph to 110 kph by the time it exits Luzon landmass at the La Union-Pangasinan area around Tuesday afternoon and starts crossing the West Philippine Sea.
He added “Rosita”‘ might regain strength while crossing the West Philippine Sea on its way to exiting PAR.
“While moving away, winds of ‘Rosita’ can still create sea turbulence along Luzon’s western portion,” he warned.
PAGASA has forecast “Rosita” to exit PAR around Wednesday evening (Oct. 31). “Rosita” might already be outside PAR at 475 km west-northwest of Ilocos Sur province’s Sinait municipality by Thursday morning, PAGASA added. (Catherine Teves/PNA)
