RAMB/US NOAA/Himawari
MANILA — The weather disturbance being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility could hit land at or near its peak intensity as a super typhoon on Monday, November 10, PAGASA said.
The potential super typhoon could make landfall over Central or Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said.
At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the tropical depression was located 1,835 km east of northeastern Mindanao.
It was packing winds of 55 kph with up to 70 kph gusts. It was moving eastward at 10 kph.
it will pick up strength and speed while moving northwestward from Thursday.
The disturbance may enter the Philippine area of responsibility late Friday, November 7 or early Saturday, November 8 as a strong typhoon.
It will be assigned the local name Uwan – the second storm in the country this November and the 21st overall this year.
Uwan will intensify further up to super typhoon strength while over the Philippine Sea.
PAGASA said weather conditions in northern Luzon could begin to deteriorate from Sunday, November 9.
However, ahead of the storm’s approach, wind signals will be hoisted over the eastern parts of Luzon and Visayas as early as Friday evening. Signal no. 5 will be the highest wind warning that may be raised.
Potentially life-threatening conditions due to the super typhoon’s violent winds, torrential rains, and high storm surge may be experienced in Northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon on Monday and Tuesday.
The weather bureau advised the public to continuously monitor the disturbance as the uncertainty in the track and intensity forecast remained high.
The country is still reeling from the devastation of typhoon Tino, which made eight landfalls while crossing the central Philippines on Tuesday and early Wednesday.
At least 66 were reported dead, with Cebu province bearing the brunt of the storm’s havoc.
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Wind signals remained hoisted in parts of Mimaropa as Tino continued to move away from land.
It may exit the Philippine area of responsibility late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it was preparing for the potential super typhoon.
“Ang koordinasyon ng PNP sa Office of Civil Defense ay sinasabi na ‘yung data na immediately after nitong Tino ay huwag pong pagbasihan sa paghahanda. Halimbawa, hindi sila binaha ngayong bagyong Tino, huwag daw itong pagbasehan para sa darating na bagyo. Mayroon po tayong tatlong araw para maghanda,” PNP spokesperson BGen. Randulf Tuaño said.
“We will try again to improve ‘yung ating mga preparation with this upcoming na mas malaki pa na bagyo based on the PAGASA issued weather bulletin. Hopefully, makahanda tayo ng higit pa nang sa ganun ma-prevent ang further damages and casualties,” he added.
As of Wednesday, a total of 9,745 police officers and over 300 mobile units have been deployed for evacuation, rescue operations, and humanitarian assistance in areas affected by Tino.
— With a report from Karen De Guzman