In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Dodong has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds at 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 220 kph.
Pagasa said that the typhoon is expected to weaken as it would hit the Sierra Madre mountains and would be affected by strong winds as it moves towards Taiwan.
“We expect the typhoon to weaken after making landfall because it is currently hitting the Sierra Madre mountains. Also, the strong winds in Taiwan-Batanes area will also affect the typhoon. This is favorable for us because it can contribute to the weakening of the typhoon as it leaves the country,” the state weather bureau said.
Dodong made landfall in Pananapan Point in Sta. Ana, Cagayan at 4:45 p.m.
Storm surges of up to two meters are expected in Gonzaga and Sta. Ana towns in Cagayan.
The typhoon has slightly slowed down, now moving in a north-northwest direction at 17kph.
Heavy to intense rainfall is expected within 100 km of the diameter of the typhoon.
Signal No. 4 is still raised in northeastern Cagayan, Batanes, Babuyan and Calayan Group of Islands.
Signal No. 3 is up in the rest of Cagayan, Isabela and Apayao.
Signal No. 2 is hoisted over northern Aurora, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte and Abra while Signal No. 1 is up over the rest of Aurora, Ilocos Sur, and Quirino provinces.
Pagasa clarified that Dodong remains a typhoon, contrary to reports by international weather agencies that it has been raised as a “super typhoon.”
Residents are also warned from holding outdoor activities along beaches in the eastern section of Isabela and Cagayan provinces on Sunday.
The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday morning. AC