(Updated 1:09 p.m.) Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) may make landfall over the area between Eastern Samar and Northern Samar Saturday evening, bringing strong winds, storm surge and intense rain over the area, state weather agency PAGASA said Friday. In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said the storm surge in these areas may measure four to five meters high. Heavy to intense rainfall is expected. Earlier on Friday, Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) said at least 42 areas in Bicol and Visayas may have to take precautionary measures against possible storm surges. PAGASA also said at least 33 areas remain under storm signals, including 10 under Storm Signal No. 2. It said Ruby may bring rainfall of 7.5 to 20 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 700-km diameter. But PAGASA also said Ruby and the Northeast Monsoon may bring rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas and over northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. Fisherfolks and those using small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards, it said. Ruby is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday morning. As of 10 a.m., PAGASA said Ruby was estimated at 435 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar, maintaining its strength with maximum winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph. It is moving west-northwest at 13 kph and is expected to be 120 km east-northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar Saturday morning. By Sunday morning, it is expected to be 50 km west of Catarman, Northern Samar or at 60 km east of Masbate City, Masbate. On Monday morning, it is expected to be in the vicinity of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. Storm signals Under Storm Signal No. 2 are these 10 areas: Sorsogon Ticao Island Masbate Northern Samar Eastern Samar Samar Biliran Leyte Southern Leyte Northern Cebu including Cebu City, Bantayan Island and Camotes Island Under Storm Signal No. 2, billboards and signage may roll off while travel by sea and air may be risky. Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Under Signal No. 1 are these 23 areas: Catanduanes Albay Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Burias Island Romblon Capiz Iloilo Antique Aklan Negros Oriental Negros Occidental Rest of Cebu Siquijor Bohol Surigao del Sur Agusan del Norte Surigao del Norte Dinagat Island Siargao Island Misamis Oriental Agusan del Sur Camiguin Island Under Signal No. 1, rice in flowering stage may suffer significant damage while some nipa and cogon houses may be partially unroofed. Sea travel of small seacraft and fishing boats may be risky. Thousands stranded Thousands of travelers were stranded as ports were shut across the country, Reuters reported. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday also suspended provincial bus trips from Metro Manila to Eastern Visayas. Forced evacuations were also ordered in areas expected to be affected by Typhoon Ruby. Some 500 residents of coastal barangays in northern Iloilo were evacuated, according to a report by radio dzBB. Schools in Tacloban have started to get congested as evacuees poured in. Work and classes in many areas have been suspended by government and school authorities in anticipation of the bad weather. —Joel Locsin and Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG, GMA News
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:31:30 +0000
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