Pagasa raises storm warning signal in typhoon-affected areas

Source: Pagasa / DOST

Storm signal warnings were raised in many affected areas as Typhoon “Ompong” (international name Mangkhut) continued to pose threat to Northern Luzon early Thursday, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon inc. Polillo Island, Camarines Norte,  Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Burias and Ticao Islands Northern Samar were placed under Signal No. 1.

In a latest Pagasa bulletin, “Ompong” maintained maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph.

It was spotted 855 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving slightly faster with a speed of 20 kph westward.

Fisherfolks and those with small sea vessels were advised not to venture out into the waters in areas experiencing Signal No. 1, the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and of Mindanao.

Pagasa weather specialist Chris Perez reiterated that if Ompong maintained its track, it will make landfall over the northern tip of Cagayan by Saturday morning. /jpv