‘Pablo’ makes landfall in Davao Oriental

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 6:00 a.m., 04 December 2012. pagasa.dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Pablo” has made landfall over Baganga, Davao Oriental early Tuesday morning, the weather bureau said.

At 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, the center of Typhoon Pablo was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 40 kilometers east of the eastern coast of Davao Oriental, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pablo was packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph, Pagasa said.

It was forecast to move west northwest at 26 kph, Pagasa added.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 3 was hoisted over Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Southern Cebu, Surigao del Norte incl. Siargao, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Province, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Davao del Norte incl. Samal Is.

Signal No. 2 was raised in Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Leyte incl. Biliran, Negros Occidental, rest of Cebu including Camotes Is., Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga Sibugay and Maguindanao.

Meanwhile, Palawan incl. Calamian Grp. Of Islands, Ticao Island, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Aklan, Antique, Basilan, Sarangani and South Cotabato were placed under Signal No. 1.

According to Pagasa, Typhoon Pablo was expected to be at 180 km southwest of Roxas City by Wednesday morning. By Thursday morning, it will be at 230 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City and at 780 km west of Metro Manila by Friday morning.
Due to the prevailing typhoon, Pagasa warned residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas under Signal No. 2 and Signal No. 3 are alerted of possible storm surges particulary those living in the coastal areas of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat, Bohol and Leyte provinces where 3-6 meters wave height is expected.

The weather bureau advised fishing boats and other sea vessels not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. With Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net