Tropical depression ‘Pepito’ intensifies

October 20 ------ Tropical depression “Pepito” has slightly intensified on Monday afternoon, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to place more areas in Northern and Central Luzon under Signal No. 1. In its severe weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m., PAGASA has hoisted Signal No. 1 over Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, eastern portion of Kalinga, eastern portion of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, eastern part of Nueva Ecija, and northern portion of Quezon province.

Tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 1 may be also raised over Benguet, eastern portions of Abra and Pangasinan, and the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Nueva Ecija in the next bulletin at 11 p.m., Monday. As of 4 p.m., tropical depression “Pepito” was already at 410 kilometers (km) east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

PAGASA said the tropical depression may intensify into a tropical storm before it makes landfall over the eastern section of Northern Luzon-Central Luzon area between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. After crossing the landmass of Luzon, “Pepito” may further intensify over the West Philippine Sea and may reach severe tropical storm category by Thursday, it added. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected to affect Quezon, Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, West Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Mindanao within 24 hours.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding or rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly susceptible to these hazards. Based on the PAGASA’s extended weather outlook for key cities, Metro Manila, Lipa City, and Iloilo City may experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms until Thursday.

Tuguegarao City, Laoag City, and Baguio City may experience rains with gusty winds on Tuesday and Wednesday. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may also prevail over Olongapo, Angeles City, Tagaytay City, Legazpi City, and Puerto Princesa City in the next four days. PAGASA said that strong- to near gale-force winds will prevail in areas under Signal No. 1 within 36 hours.

The northeasterly surface wind flow partly enhanced by “Pepito” may also bring strong-force to near gale-force winds with occasional gusts over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the coastal and mountainous areas of northern Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar. A gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Isabela due to rough to very rough seas with waves reaching up to 2.8 to 4.5 meters.

Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small boats, PAGASA warned. Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas with waves that may reach 1.5 to 3 meters will be experienced in the next 24 hours over the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Bicol Region and the seaboards of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. PAGASA advised that those using small boats should take necessary precautionary measures while venturing out to sea. The weather bureau said “Pepito” will be at 125 km east of Casiguran, Aurora by Tuesday afternoon; 235 km west-northwest of Dagupan City in Pangasinan by Wednesday afternoon; and at 445 km west of Dagupan City or outside the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday afternoon.

Source: mb.com.ph