QUEZON CITY (PIA) — Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi), classified as a Violent Typhoon, continues to barrel toward the Bicol Region, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 230 kph, and is expected to make landfall in Catanduanes between 9 PM tonight and 12 AM early tomorrow, Nov. 17.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its Bulletin, issued at 11:00 AM on Nov. 16, said the typhoon was moving west northwestward at 25 kph, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 440 km from the center.
The center of the eye of the typhoon was estimated based on all available data, including from Guiuan, Laoang, Masbate, and Daet Weather Radars, at 185 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, or 250 km east of Juban, Sorsogon, it added.
PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 (typhoon-force winds) over the following areas:
Luzon
Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan, Lagonoy, San Jose)
Warning lead time: 12 hours
Range of wind speeds: 118 to 184 km/h (Beaufort 12)
Potential impacts of winds: significant to severe threat to life and property
TCWS No. 3 (Wind threat: storm-force winds)
Luzon
The eastern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, Talisay, Mercedes, Daet, Basud, San Vicente, San Lorenzo Ruiz), the northern and southeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Tinambac, Siruma, Buhi, Ocampo, Iriga City, Sipocot, Pili, Cabusao, Calabanga, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Naga City, Camaligan), the eastern portion of Albay (City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Tiwi, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito, Legazpi City, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu), and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)
Visayas
The eastern portion of Northern Samar (Palapag, Laoang, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Catubig, Pambujan) and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Jipapad)
Warning lead time: 18 hours
Range of wind speeds: 89 to 117 km/h (Beaufort 10 to 11)
Potential impacts of winds: moderate to significant threat to life and property
PAGASA further reported the following details, among others:
• Significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 4.
• Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 3.
• Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 2.
• Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.
The highest wind signal that may be hoisted during the occurrence of Pepito is Wind Signal No. 5.
There is a high risk of a life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Region (western coast), Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and Leyte (northeastern coast).
Pepito is approaching its peak intensity. With radar imagery showing signs of eyewall replacement, the intensity of Pepito may begin to maintain or slightly decrease in the next few hours.
However, if the eyewall replacement finishes before its passage over Catanduanes, the super typhoon will resume intensifying.
Nevertheless, it will likely make landfall over Catanduanes as a super typhoon at or near peak intensity and as a super typhoon or typhoon over the Quezon-Aurora area, PAGASA noted. (PIA DMD)
