‘Pedring’ harks back ‘Ondoy’ memories; storm signals raised in Luzon areas

MANILA, Philippines—As it made its way toward the main island of Luzon on Monday, Typhoon “Pedring” whipped the eastern coast of the Philippines with a ferocity that brought back memories of Tropical Storm “Ondoy,” which devastated a large part of Metro Manila and nearby provinces in 2009.

Pedring (international name: Nesat) was expected to make landfall in Casiguran, Aurora early Tuesday morning.

As of Monday afternoon, Pedring’s strength slightly intensified as it traveled across the Pacific with 130-kph maximum sustained winds near the center and with gustiness of 160 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pedring also sped up slightly, moving northwest at 19 kph, 2 kph more than its speed recorded Monday morning.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Pedring was seen 260 km southeast of Casiguran.

Pedring, the 16th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year, would hit north and central Luzon before exiting the country on Wednesday night in La Union province, Pagasa said.

Since Sunday, wind strength and ocean surges grew steadily in the Bicol region, forcing local officials to evacuate residents in the coastal communities there, said Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando.

By Monday, provinces in central and north Luzon experienced deafening winds and rainfall, compelling mountain villagers to head to safer ground to avoid landslides. Low-lying towns also reported floods which shut down local transport services.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa raised public storm warning signal No. 3 over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, northern Quezon including Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino, and Isabela.

Metro Manila, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon, Rizal, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, Kalinga, and Cagayan were placed under signal No. 2.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Masbate, Marinduque, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

As of Monday afternoon, the eye of the typhoon was still at sea.

Graciano Yumul Jr., an undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology, said the typhoon would strengthen as it approached land because of the warm sea surface temperature.

“The sea surface temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. That is warm. That is conducive to intensification,” he said.

Servando said the cyclone could build up, but so far there were no indications that it would reach super-typhoon status.

Pagasa officials said a high pressure ridge on the northwest of Luzon has been preventing Pedring from inching north.

If there were no changes in Pedring’s track, it might strike Central Luzon, the country’s agricultural basket, and densely populated Metro Manila.

“By raising signal number 3, we expect heavy damage to agriculture. Large trees would also be felled and houses and electrical posts would be damaged,” Servando explained.

Weather officials said Pedring was similar to Ondoy because it followed almost the same path.

Pagasa said typhoons that form during this month usually move across north and central Luzon.

Unlike Ondoy, however, Pedring was stronger, faster and contained less moisture.

Ondoy, which hit the country on September 26, 2009, was slow-moving at 15 kph and struck Central Luzon directly and affected the northern part of the capital with its heavy rains.

Ondoy’s rainfall was recorded at 56 mm/hr, while Pedring’s rainfall was between 15-25 mm/hr.

Ondoy, which made landfall in Quezon province, was one of the most destructive typhoons in recent years.

Like Pedring, it tracked westward, hitting Central Luzon and the capital, which was unprepared to respond to the massive rains it brought.

Ondoy dumped record rainfall in six hours, flooding 80 percent of Metro Manila. Nearly 500 people were killed and thousands were rendered homeless.