Super Typhoon Pepito now approaching landfall in Catanduanes

Super Typhoon Pepito Live Updates

MANILA, Philippines — Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) is about to make a landfall along the eastern coast of Catanduanes on Saturday evening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Pepito

In its 8 p.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said that the center of the eye of Pepito was last located over the coastal waters of Gigmoto, Catanduanes, moving northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).

It was still packing a maximum wind speed of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

READ: Pepito to make landfall in Catanduanes within next few hours

Pagasa said Pepito “is forecast to move generally west northwestward and make landfall over the northern or central portion of Catanduanes between 8:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. tonight.”

Pagasa added that “it is possible, although becoming less likely, that Pepito will just pass very close to Catanduanes (but bring the southern eyewall and its violent conditions over most of Catanduanes).”

Further, Pepito is expected to pass over the waters north of Camarines Province (until early Sunday morning) and Polillo Islands (between Sunday morning and noon) before making landfall over northern Quezon or central or southern Aurora between Sunday noon or afternoon.

The super typhoon will then cross the northern portion of Central Luzon and the southern portion of Northern Luzon along the upland areas of Sierra Madre, Caraballo, Cordillera Central between Sunday afternoon and evening.

Pagasa also warned that areas outside the landfall point and forecast confidence cone may experience hazards such as heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge.

The weather agency hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) across the country, with TCWS No. 5 being the highest over Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur. This may bring extreme threat to life and property, with wind speed ranging from 185 kph or higher.

A storm surge warning, where peak heights exceeding 3.0 meters, is expected in the next 48 hours over low-lying or exposed coastal communities of the following areas:

• Ilocos Region (western coast)
• Isabela
• Central Luzon
• Metro Manila
• Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon)
• Marinduque
• Bicol Region
• Northern Samar
• Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Biliran

READ: Pepito’s strength reaching peak intensity, possible catastrophic level

Meanwhile, a gale warning was hoisted over the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.