By Brian Campued
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed portions of Central Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 ahead of the wind threat caused by Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo).
As of 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, the center of Paolo was located 575 km east of Infanta, Quezon. It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph and packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
PAGASA said the southeastern portion of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, and Naguilian), the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela), and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan) are now under TCWS No. 2.
Residents in the said areas may begin to feel gale-force winds that may cause minor to moderate impact to life and property within the next 24 hours or less.
Meanwhile, strong winds may be experienced in the next 36 hours or less in the following areas under TCWS No. 1:
- Mainland Cagayan
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Pangasinan
- Northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)
- Tarlac
- Nueva Ecija
- Aurora
- Northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)
- Northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)
- Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands
- Northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga)
According to PAGASA, the highest TCWS that will likely be hoisted throughout Paolo’s passage is Wind Signal No. 3—with the possibility of raising Wind Signal No. 4 if Paolo intensifies into a typhoon.
Based on the track forecast, Paolio may reach severe tropical storm category by Thursday night while over the Philippine Sea. It may make landfall over southern Isabela or northern Aurora on Friday, Oct. 3.
“After crossing the landmass of Northern Luzon, it will emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow afternoon and will continue moving west-northwestward until it exits the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning,” PAGASA said.
Meanwhile, intense to torrential rains due to Paolo may drench Aurora until Friday noon; while heavy to intense rains are likely over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija.
Moderate to heavy rains are likewise forecast over Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon until Friday noon.
The state weather bureau has also issued a storm surge warning over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
Residents living in low-lying coastal communities are advised to stay away from the coast or beach, cancel all marine activities, or move to higher ground as storm surge may reach up to 2 meters within 36 hours.
-jpv
