QUEZON CITY (PIA) — State Weather Bureau PAGASA announced on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the preparedness lead-time to deliver assistance to residents that would most likely be affected by the two oncoming cyclones that threaten to ram through the Luzon area.
At the press briefing spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and aired over PTV 4 on Nov. 13, PAGASA weather specialist Cris Perez said that the lead time to get ready for Typhoon Ofel (Usagi) is only until this day.
He said that Ofel is nearing extreme northern Luzon and all sea travel along the eastern seaboard should be avoided.
Likewise, he said that the movement of relief goods by land going to areas seen to be hit by Ofel, especially in Cagayan Valley Region, should be done before Thursday, Nov. 14.
As to the incoming tropical storm Man-yi, to be named Pepito once inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the lead time should be until Friday, Nov. 15.
Perez added that PAGASA has already issued updates to concerned partner agencies for the prepositioning of food, non-food items, and logistics in preparation for Ofel and Man-yi [Pepito].
Signal No. 2 was raised over some parts of Cagayan and Isabela provinces as Ofel maintained its strength over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning.
Ofel was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
It is forecast to move west-northwestward to northwestward over the Philippine Sea before making landfall along the eastern coast of Cagayan or Isabela tomorrow on Thursday afternoon,” PAGASA said.
On the other hand, Man-yi is expected to enter the PAR on Thursday evening and will be called Pepito.
“Pepito” may make landfall over the eastern coast of Luzon during the weekend—November 16 or 17, PAGASA said in its Wednesday, 11 a.m. advisory.
It added that storm Man-yi may intensify into a severe tropical storm on Nov. 13 and reach the typhoon category by Thursday afternoon or evening. (PIA DMD)
