Signal No. 2 raised in Catanduanes; Typhoon ‘Dodong’ maintains strength

Signal No. 2 was raised in Catanduanes as Typhoon “Dodong” (international name “Noul”) accelerated and kept its strength on Friday afternoon, the state weather bureau had said.

Dodong packed maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 185 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Friday.

The typhoon moved west northwest at 20 kph.

Dodong was last spotted 510 kilometers east of Sorsogon City.

Under Signal No. 2, light to moderate damage to high risk structures are seen. Winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities. Most banana plants, a few mango trees, ipil-ipil and similar types of trees are downed or broken.

Signal No. 1 was raised in Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, Northern and Eastern Samar.

Possibilities of storm Signal No. 1 may be raised in the provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna, Pagasa said.

Dodong is forecast to make landfall in Isabela-Cagayan area by Sunday morning. It is seen to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday afternoon.

Metro Manila may experience light to moderate rains late Saturday to early Sunday when Dodong is closest to Metro Manila.

Heavy to intense rains are seen within the 300 kilometer radius of Dodong.