Full alert for Typhoon Pepeng in review report
A storm alert has been hoisted in six provinces in Luzon and an island off the northeastern coast of Quezon province Thursday as Typhoon Pepeng gains more strength.
As of 11 p.m. Thursday, the weather bureau reported that Pepeng (international codename: Parma) has slowed down slightly as it continues to move towards Aurora-Isabela area.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised storm signal no. 1 over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Quezon, Polilio Island and Aurora.
Nathaniel Cruz, the Philippines’ chief weather forecaster, said Typhoon Pepeng could strengthen into a “super typhoon,” a designation given to storms with sustained winds exceeding 200 kph. It was carrying less rain than Ondoy, but the stronger winds could be very destructive, he said.
However, the storm could still change course and miss the Philippines, he said.
Pepeng was spotted 390 km east southeast of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 p.m. Thursday. It is expected to hit land on Saturday, but was already bringing rain to eastern provinces.
Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said Pepeng could develop into a super typhoon by Friday afternoon if it attained wind strength above 215 kph.
“Looking at the rate of its intensification, most likely tomorrow (Friday) maybe noontime or afternoon it will reach 215 kph,” said Nilo.
Pepeng is expected to make its landfall on Saturday morning in Aurora-Isabela area but the Pagasa chief said strong winds and moderate rainfall could already be experience in the some parts of Northern Luzon.
By Saturday afternoon, Pepeng is projected to reach Mountain Province and by Sunday afternoon, it will be at 190 km Northwest of Laoag City.
Storm signal warning could be raised by Friday night in some areas in Northern Luzon depending on the intensity of Pepeng.
“The signal no. 4 warning could be announce by 11 p.m. Friday if Pepeng sustains its strength,” said Nilo.
Nilo said there is a minimal probability for Pepeng to change its course but he would still advise the public to prepare.
He said the areas in National Capital Region which were hit by Typhoon Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) will still feel the effect of Pepeng but not that intense.
“Metro Manila could still experience strong winds and rainfall but Pepeng will not have a direct impact on Manila,” he said.
Officials were preparing compulsory evacuation plans for tens of thousands of people in the Philippines as they watched Typhoon Pepeng track toward the country with winds gusting up to 230 kph.
A decision on the evacuations would be made in the next day or so, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said. Meanwhile, refugees from the existing disaster were asked to halt any plans to return home and stay in shelters, she said.
Pepeng could be more powerful than Typhoon Ondoy, which left the Philippines’ capital awash Saturday and then cut a destructive path across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
“We are dealing with a very strong typhoon (and) there is a big possibility that this typhoon will gather more strength,” Cruz said of Pepeng. “Let us all pray.”
World Vision, a nongovernment agency helping people in all weather-affected countries, said the new storm could hamper aid delivery.
“Families are now just starting to pick up what was left of their lives,” said Elnora Avarientos, World Vision’s chief in the Philippines. “Now, I’m afraid … Typhoon Parma [Pepeng] would make it a lot harder for the affected families to cope and for the relief … agencies to respond.”
Briefings
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday met with the officials and regional disaster coordinating council (RDCC) in Cagayan Valley Region in preparation for the looming effect of Pepeng in the country.
Teodoro convened the RDCC and several governors in the province of Tuguegarao in Cagayan to discuss disaster preparedness and readiness should Pepeng make its landfall in Northern part of Luzon, as what the Pagasa weather forecast has indicated.
Teodoro briefed Cagayan Valley Police Director Roberto Damian about the awareness and responses of the province to avert accidents as Pepeng is expected to make its landfall in Northern Luzon.
He said it is important that this early, the local government should launch proactive effort in ensuring the installation of evacuation centers should the need for preemptive evacuation arises.
The evacuation areas, according to Teodoro, should have relief goods inventory made ready and the disaster prone areas should also be equipped with rescue forces.
He meanwhile made sure that the Armed Forces and RDCC will work hand-in-hand for the search and rescue missions.
Hours after his stay in Cagayan Valley, Teodoro then flew to Ilocos region to give the same briefing in the officials and RDCC offices there.
Death toll
As of the latest figures of the NDCC Thursday, the number of fatalities caused by Typhoon Ondoy has climbed up to 277 from Wednesday’s figure at 246.
Most number of casualties was reported in the National Capital Region (NCR) particularly in Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, and Pasig City.
The number of missing and injured meanwhile remains at 42 and five, respectively.
The number of affected families has also increased to 512,092 or about 2.5 million persons.
Families seeking temporary shelter at evacuation centers have doubled and are now placed at 135,471 families or more than half a million individuals.
Additional 75 evacuation centers were also set up by the government while the estimated cost of damages in infrastructure and agriculture is still pegged at P4,807,557,452.83.
Joint police and military clean-up operations have been conducted in the major disaster areas.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), on the other hand, has deployed 100 fire trucks to conduct the flushing and clearing operations along Tumana River, in the evacuation and health centers, streets and houses in the cities of San Juan, Malabon, Pasay, Taguig and Marikina.
The total cost of assistance provided by government and non-government organizations is now P23 million.
About 13,359 sacks of rice were distributed to Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao, and National Capital Region.
Call for prayer
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez urged the public to pray that the presence of another typhoon in the country would not be as destructive as tropical storm Ondoy.
“Let us ask St. Therese of the Child Jesus to pray for us and intercede for us Filipinos,” said the Public Affairs Committee head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Aside from prayers, Iñiguez urged Filipinos to prepare for any natural calamity.
“It’s best if we do both, prepare and pray,” he said.
Tropical storm Pepeng entered the Philippine area of responsibility Wednesday less than a week after Typhoon Ondoy struck the country.
At the same time, the CBCP official asked the faithful to continue to help the victims of Ondoy, which killed more than 200 people dead and thousands homeless.
“Let’s continue to extend help to them,” said Iniguez.
Private individuals, firms, and organizations had launched several drives to help gather donations, both in kind and cash, for the victims of the typhoon.
Typhoon Ondoy devastated Metro Manila and some provinces in the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions last Saturday.
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