Thousands flee ‘Chedeng’

Storm warnings

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) said the tropical storm was expected to make landfall in Isabela between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday.

READ: ‘Chedeng’ weakens as it nears landfall

Storm Signal No. 3 was raised in Isabela and Aurora while Signal No. 2 was up in northern Quezon, Nueva Ecija, southern Cagayan, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Catanduanes.

The rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Island, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, the rest of Quezon including Polillo Island, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur were under Signal No. 1.

Warnings on possible storm surges were lifted as the storm continued to weaken, weather forecaster Jun Galang said in a press briefing on Saturday.

Heavy seas

But areas near the center of the storm should still be wary of sea surface waves of up to 6 to 8 meters, Galang added.

Provinces that will be affected directly by Chedeng are Abra, Cagayan, Aurora, Apayao, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

“These areas are within 100-km radius from the center of the storm,” Galang said.

“The intensity of the storm and heavy rains will be felt in these areas,” he added.

Metro Manila will experience light to moderate rains on Sunday while Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao will have fair weather.

Pagasa said “good weather” would prevail in the country on Easter Monday as Chedeng was expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility in the morning. With reports from AFP, Marlon Ramos and Cynthia D. Balana in Manila; Tonette Orejas, Anselmo Roque and Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon; Villamor Visaya Jr. and Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon; and Shiena M. Barrameda, Inquirer Southern Luzon.

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