Typhoon Juan's speed, strength alarming, says DOST chief

MANILA, Philippines - Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo on Saturday said the government is alarmed by the speed and strength of Typhoon Juan (international codename Megi), which may have devastating effects in Northern Luzon provinces.

As of 11 a.m., the typhoon was located at 980 kilometers east of northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

The typhoon was still moving west northwest at a speed of 20 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) predicts the typhoon will move at 650 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan on Sunday morning.

By that time, Montejo said that the typhoon’s maximum sustained winds may already be hitting at 175 kilometers per hour.

“If you can recall yesterday its strength was 105 [kph]. Now it's already 140 [kph]. Tomorrow morning (Sunday morning) it may be already at 175 kph,” the secretary announced during a press conference at the PAGASA headquarters in Quezon City before noon Saturday.

He said Typhoon Juan’s maximum winds may reach 200 kph by Monday morning, which is when the weather disturbance is expected to start moving to the northern tip of Cagayan province.

“Ito talaga ang nakakabahala. Malakas talaga ang bagyo. Kaya nga lahat kami umaasa na matulak pataas (This is really alarming. The typhoon is really strong. That’s why we are all hoping it will be pushed upward),” Montejo said.

Aside from strong winds, the typhoon, Montejo said, is already pouring up to 250 millimeters of rain per 6 hours, based on satellite images. This is just slightly lighter than tropical storm Ondoy’s 341 millimeters of rain per 6 hours.

Ondoy was the most devastating storm that hit the country last year, submerging Metro Manila in floodwaters and its nearby provinces.

Cagayan landfall

Robert Sawi of PAGASA’s weather forecasting division said during the press conference that the typhoon will be felt as early as Sunday afternoon and make landfall in the coastal town of Sta. Ana in Cagayan province by Monday afternoon.

Sawi said that based on the projected path of the typhoon, it will cross Northern Luzon and directly affect the provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, and Isabela.

The typhoon was forecast to exit over Ilocos Norte by Tuesday.

Sawi said that while the typhoon is approaching land, it is expected to cause storm surge and then flashfloods and landslides while crossing over land.

He said that chances of the typhoon affecting Metro Manila was still very slim as of Saturday.

Nathaniel Servando, PAGASA’s deputy administrator, said that they are monitoring the possible effect of the existing ridge of high pressure area which may push the typhoon southward or toward the lower part of Luzon.

Class suspension

Former military officer Benito Ramos, head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said all units of the 2 agencies in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Metro Manila and the Cordillera Administrative Region have been alerted.

Ramos said quick response teams of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Bureau of Fire Protection and the police and military have been placed on standby in anticipation of the typhoon.

He added that heavy equipment have also been deployed to landslide-prone areas around Northern Luzon.

He said Army trucks were also on standby for possible “preemptive” evacuation in areas that are expected to be affected by the typhoon.

In Metro Manila, Ramos said that the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority started removing billboards and tarpaulins in major roads.

Ramos added that thousands of food packs have already been prepared by the DSWD for possible distribution to those who will be evacuated because of the typhoon.

He said that the OCD and the NDRRMC is also in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the possible suspension of Monday’s classes.

He said that the DepEd may issue class suspension orders on Sunday, based on the advisory that will be coming from PAGASA.

Sawi said during the press conference that Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 may be immediately hoisted over the provinces in Northern Luzon as early as Sunday morning.

PAGASA officials said that they are now providing the public with hourly weather updates, as instructed by President Benigno Aquino III.

Montejo added that President Aquino has also ordered PAGASA to closely monitor watersheds, particularly Magat Dam, as the typhoon approaches.

He said President Aquino wants concerned agencies to make quick decisions on whether water should be released from dams to avoid flashfloods.

typhoon watch:

tatawid ang bagyong juan ng Northern Luzon at magdadala ng signal 3 winds hanggang Central Luzon
Landfall sa Lunes..

BEWARE: Mas malakas ang hangin ni Juan kesa kay Ondoy at halos kasing dami ng ulan ni Ondoy ang dala ni Juan..

typhoon update:

Pag lumakas ang pressure area sa Norte.. Maaring maitulak nito pababa ang bagyo at mag landfall sa Central Luzon..

credits: Kuya Kim Atienza