Typhoon Rolly weakens, now over West Philippine Sea – Pagasa

Typhoon Rolly (left) hovers over the West Philippine Sea or 120 kilometers west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. (Himawari satellite image via Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Rolly continues to weaken after passing through the Bicol Region and Southern Luzon and is currently over the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported Sunday night.

In its 8 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said the typhoon was last seen 120 kilometers west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

It has maximum sustained winds of 125 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 170 km/h. It is moving westward at 25 km/h.

The weather bureau said Rolly may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning and may weaken into a severe tropical storm category in the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is hoisted in the following areas:

• Southwestern portion of Batangas (Tingloy, Mabini, Bauan, San Luis, Taal, Santa Teresita, Alitagtag, Taal lake, San Nicolas, Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Lemery, Calaca, Balayan, Tuy, Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan)
• Northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Abra de Ilog, Mamburao, Paluan)
Lubang Island

Signal No. 2:

• Cavite
• rest of Batangas
• northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Baco, Calapan City, Naujan, Victoria, Pola)
• central portion of Occidental Mindoro (Santa Cruz, Sablayan)

Signal No. 1:

• southern portion of Zambales (San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso, San Antonio, Castillejos, Subic, Olongapo City)
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Pampanga
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Metro Manila,
• rest of Occidental Mindoro
• rest of Oriental Mindoro
• Calamian Islands
• Marinduque
• Quezon including Polillo Islands

The strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country this year made landfall as a super typhoon in Bato, Catanduanes at 4:50 a.m, then in Tiwi, Albay at 7:20 a.m. before weakening into a typhoon category.

At 12:00 p.m., Rolly made its third landfall in San Narciso, Quezon. It was followed by landfall in Lobo, Batangas at 5:30 p.m.

So far, at least 7 people reportedly died due to the typhoon. [ac]