Signal No. 3 still up in 3 areas as Ompong maintains strength

Some Tropical Cyclone Warning System (TCWS) signals have been lowered as Typhoon Ompong maintained its strength and accelerated as it continued moving across the West Philippine Sea on Saturday evening, according to weather bureau PAGASA.

According to PAGASA's 8 p.m. weather bulletin, the following areas are still under Signal No. 3:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union

Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan group of Islands
• Abra
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Pangasinan
• Zambales

Signal No. 1 is also up over the following areas:

• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Nueva Ecija
• Aurora
• Bataan

Effects

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Ompong has so far resulted in two confirmed casualties, who were rescuers conducting operations in areas affected by the typhoon in Cordillera. Theire identities have not yet been disclosed.

The NDRRMC, meanwhile, has yet to confirm four other reported deaths in Baguio City and Itogon, Benguet, which were reported by the Philippine National Police and two mayors.

Baggao, Cagayan, where the massive storm made landfall, incurred the much damage but no casualties have been reported so far.

Severe flooding had been reported in provinces off and on Ompong's trail  due to the heavy rains. PAGASA also issued a flood warning for areas near river basins.

Ompong also triggered power outages and landslides, as well as stranded passengers and uprooted trees.

Government authorities also launched rescue operations in affected areas.

As of 7 p.m., PAGASA said Ompong's eye was located 240 km west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 195 kph, the typhoon is expected to continue moving northwest at 25 kph.

PAGASA said Ompong is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday night.

Sea travel

For the meantime, fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are still advised not to venture out over the seaboards of areas with TCWS and the seaboards of Luzon and of Visayas.

PAGASA also warned that the enhanced effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will bring gusty winds with scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Western Visayas and Mimaropa.

"Residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and to continue monitoring for updates," the bureau said.

Another severe weather bulletin will be issued at 11 p.m. — MDM, GMA News