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Mangkhut intensifies, will enter PAR Wednesday afternoon


Typhoon Mangkhut has intensified Wednesday morning and is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the afternoon, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

As of 8 a.m., Mangkhut's eye was located at 1,190 kilometers east northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It had maximum sustained winds of 205 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph.

Mangkhut was moving westward at 20 kph.

At a press briefing in Quezon City, PAGASA assistant weather services chief Rene Paciente said Mangkhut may enter PAR at about 2 p.m. Once inside PAR, the typhoon will be named Ompong.

PAGASA said Ompong may possibly make landfall in Cagayan and Calayan on Saturday.

 

 

Like Ondoy

At the same briefing, PAGASA administrator Dr. Vicente Mallano said Mangkhut, together with the Southwest Monsoon, may bring rainfall similar to or even greater than 2009's Tropical Storm Ondoy.

"Kung may Habagat siya, plus 'yung ulan na galing sa bagyo, puwede siyang tumaas, puwede niyang abutin si Ondoy o lagpasan niya si Ondoy dahil may Habagat tayo," he said.

He added the typhoon may generate storm surges in Cagayan and waves at least six meters high along Cagayan and the eastern and northern coastal areas, including Aparri.

Mangkhut's effects

Once Mangkhut enters PAR, Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #1 (TCWS#1) may be raised over Eastern Luzon as it will bring heavy rains and strong winds over Norhtern Luzon and parts of Central and Southern Luzon.

Palawan, the Mindoro provinces, and Western Visayas may also experience occasional rains by Friday and Saturday, while the Cagayan-Batanes area may experience the storm by Saturday.

Surrounding seas will be "rough to very rough," PAGASA said.

Because of its effects, PAGASA is keeping a close watch at rivers and dams, including Agno River, Abulog Basin, Cagayan River Basin, Abra River basin, Agno River basin and Pampanga River basin in Luzon.

PAGASA assistant weather services chief Rene Paciente said residents in areas that will be affected by the storm should watch out for falling trees due to strong winds.

Barijat (Neneng)

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Barijat, the former Tropical Depression Neneng when it was still inside the PAR, is being monitored.

Barijat was last located 705 km west of extreme Northern Luzon outside PAR with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, and gustiness of up to 105 km/h as it moves west at 30 km/h.

It is predicted to be downgraded to a tropical depression on Friday as it moves outside PAR.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is on red alert to prepare for the incoming typhoon. —Rie Takumi/KG/KBK/KG, GMA News

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