MANILA, Philippines — State meteorologists have raised a red heavy rainfall warning over Sorsogon — the highest warning — as Tropical Storm Paeng is expected to cause severe flooding and landslides in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas, respectively.
Meanwhile, updates posted on the social media sites of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) early Saturday morning said that Bohol and the following areas in Mindanao are under an orange rainfall warning:
- Basilan (including Isabela City)
- Sulu
- Maguindanao
- Zamboanga City
- Cotabato City
An orange rainfall warning is the second-highest warning by Pagasa.
Pagasa says that an orange rainfall warning means flooding is threatening in low-lying areas while landslides are possible in mountainous parts of the localities mentioned.
“RED Warning Level: #Sorsogon […] Severe Flooding is expected in flood prone areas and near river channels. Landslides are expected in landslide prone areas,” Pagasa said, based on the Southern Luzon PAGASA Regional Services Division (PRSD).
“ORANGE WARNING LEVEL: #Basilan, #IsabelaCity, #Sulu, #Maguindanao, #ZamboangaCity, #CotabatoCity, FLOODING IS THREATENING in low-lying areas and LANDSLIDES in mountainous areas,” Pagasa added, echoing reports from the Mindanao PRSD.
Meanwhile, a yellow rainfall warning was raised over the following areas:
- Northern Samar
- Albay
- North Cotabato (Alamada, Libungan, Pigkawayan, Midsayap, Aleosan, Pikit, Carmen)
- Sultan Kudarat
Updates from Pagasa as of 11:00 p.m. showed Paeng was able to maintain strength as it moved closer to the waters of Albay and Camarines Sur provinces, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
It was last seen over the coastal waters of Ragay, Albay.
State meteorologists expect Paeng to make landfall over either Albay, Camarines Sur, or Catanduanes. While the eye of Paeng hovers over Bicol Region, Pagasa said that it covers a lot of ground because its diameter is almost 1,00 kilometers — hence why even the northern portions of Mindanao are affected.
READ: Paeng may make landfall in either CamSur, Albay, or Catanduanes — Pagasa