Super Typhoon Pepito pounds Quirino, prompts evacuation

Quirino. INQUIRER FILES

CABARROGUIS, Quirino — At least 174 families, or 500 people, in this town were evacuated on Sunday, November 17, as Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) unleashed heavy rains and winds, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) said.

The PDRRMO reported that 91 families or 249 evacuees were recorded in Aglipay town, while 47 families or 142 evacuees were logged in Cabarroguis. In Maddela, 24 families or 64 individuals were evacuated.

Eight families or 31 people were evacuated in Diffun, while four families or 14 individuals were taken to shelters in Nagtipunan.

READ: Super Typhoon Pepito stays strong as it heads to Aurora, northern Quezon

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 2 p.m. bulletin that Pepito is posing “potentially dangerous and life-threatening situation” over Aurora province as it maintains its strength ahead of landfall.

Residents living near the sea were warned against storm surges.

The center of Pepito’s eye was over the coastal waters of Baler, Aurora as of Sunday afternoon. Its maximum sustained winds were at 185 km/h near the center with gustiness of up to 230 km/h. It was moving Northwestward at 20 km/h.

READ: Pagasa issues heavy rainfall warning in areas in Luzon due to Pepito