Signal No. 4 up in 4 areas as Typhoon ‘Dodong’ gains strength

Typhoon “Dodong” (international name: Noul) has intensified, with four areas placed under Signal No. 4, as it barrels toward Cagayan province, the state weather agency said Sunday morning.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Dodong was packing maximum sustained winds at 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 220 kph.

The state weather bureau said that as of 10 a.m., Typhoon Dodong was last located 140 km east southeast of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and was moving northwest at 20 kph.

Pagasa said that Dodong is expected to make landfall in Sta. Ana town in Cagayan on Sunday afternoon or early evening.

Signal No. 4 is raised in northeastern Cagayan, Batanes, Babuyan and Calayan Group of Islands.

Signal No. 3 is up in the rest of Cagayan and Isabela province.

Signal No. 2 is hoisted over northern Aurora, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao and Apayao provinces while Signal No. 1 is up over the rest of Aurora, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Quirino provinces.

The state weather agency said that Dodong is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday morning.

Pagasa said that storm surges of up to two meters are expected to hit the coasts of Gonzaga and Sta. Ana towns in Cagayan, adding that residents should not go to beaches in the eastern section of Isabela and Cagayan.

Pagasa also cautioned residents living in low lying and mountainous areas in provinces placed under signal storm warning signals on possible flash floods and landslides. DPL

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