Typhoon Gorio maintains strength, heads towards Taiwan

Typhoon “Gorio” (international name: Nesat) has maintained its strength and is now heading towards Taiwan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported on Saturday.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, Pagasa said that the eye of Gorio was estimated at 265 kilometers North Northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of up to 145 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kph.

“Gorio,” also slightly slowed down its pace from 17 kph northwest to 15 kph still northwest.

It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sunday morning.

“Inaasahan natin na mamayang gabi ay magla-landfall itong si Typhoon “Gorio” dito sa may bahagi ng Taiwan. Tapos ito ay lalabas sa PAR bukas ng umaga at inaasahan natin na maaring gabi o sa pagdating ng July 30 ng gabi o July 31 ng madaling araw ito’y maglalandfall na sa may gawing China,” Pagasa weather forecaster Obet Badrina said in a media briefing.

(We are projecting Typhoon Gorio to make landfall in Taiwan tonight. It will exit PAR tomorrow morning, and we are projecting it to make landfall in China on the evening of July 30 or the evening of July 31.)

Pagasa said it kept tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) No. 2 raised over the Batanes group of islands and signal no. 1 over the Babuyan group of islands.

Meanwhile, the tropical depression located over the West Philippine Sea was estimated at 435 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and continues to remain outside of PAR.

“Sa ngayon ay maliit pa ang tyansa na magtaas ng additional warning signal dahil sa tropical depression. Pero di natin tinatanggal ‘yung posibilidad na pumasok ito sa PAR,” Badrina said.

(Right now the chances of raising additional warning signals because of the tropical depression are still small. But we are not discounting the possibility of it entering PAR.)

Despite this, Pagasa said the weather system would still enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over the western section of Northern and Central Luzon while light to moderate rains over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

“Samantalang monsoon rains naman ang inaasahan natin dito sa Ilocos Region, Cordillera gayundin sa Bataan at Zambales. So ‘yung mga kababayan natin ay pinapayuhang mag-ingat dahil posible po ‘yung mga pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa lalo na ‘pag malalakas yung pag-ulan,” the Pagasa forecaster said.

(Meanwhile, we can expect monsoon rains in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera and the provinces of Bataan and Zambales. So we urge the people there to be wary of possible flooding and landslides especially during heavy rains.)

Badrina added that other parts of the country such as Visayas and Mindanao will experience better weather except for occasional rain showers and thunderstorms.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, Pagasa added.

“Yung maliliit na sasakyan pandagat hangga’t maari iwasan pumalaot at ‘yung malalaking sasakyang pandagat ay mag-ingat dahil sa malalaking alon,” Badrina said.

(Those driving small vessels should avoid sailing, while those using big vessels need to take extra caution because of the huge waves.)

Due to the expected landfall of “Gorio” in Taiwan, Badrina said the country would soon experience better weather.

“Inaasahan natin na habang ito’y papalayo sa ating bansa,’ yung mga lugar na apektado ng pag-ulan dala ng hanging habagat ay makakaasa ng unti-unting pagbuti ng panahon simula bukas hanggang sa susunod na linggo,” he added.

(we can expect that as it moves away from our country, those affected by the monsoon rains may experience better weather starting tomorrow until the following week.)

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management councils in concerned areas are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next weather bulletin to be issued at 5 p.m. Saturday, said Pagasa. KS/IDL