Source: Pagasa / DOST
MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Rolly is the strongest typhoon in the world so far for 2020, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Saturday.
“Yes po. Based on available information, lahat ng bagyo so far for 2020, ito [Rolly] po iyong pinaka malakas so far. May supporting data and science behind that claim po,” Ariel Rojas, Pagasa weather specialist, said in an online press briefing when asked if the typhoon Rolly is the world’s strongest typhoon so far in 2020.
(For 2020, Rolly is the strongest typhoon so far. There is supporting data and science behind that claim.)
In an online press conference of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday, NDRRMC chief Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad said Supertyphoon Lawin, which struck the country in 2016, is stronger than the current typhoon.
“[Typhoon] Lawin is stronger than Rolly. Hindi pa naglandfall [si Rolly] so we will see,” Jalad said, confirming if Rolly is stronger than supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) which hit the country in 2013.
(Rolly has yet to make landfall so we will see.)
Pagasa earlier said the typhoon was last spotted at 345 kilometers east of northeast Virac, Catanduanes.
The typhoon, moving west southwestward at 25 kph, is packing sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 265 kph.
Pagasa said Rolly is predicted to remain as a typhoon category (185 kph to 205 kph) by the time it makes landfall, which is expected on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, a United States (US) weather report said the typhoon may peak at 270 kilometers per hour (kph) which means it might be in a super typhoon category.