PAGASA SAYS

Maring-Nando merger possible; Signal 1 seen in north Luzon areas

Tropical Storm Maring and Tropical Depression Nando might merge and the possibility of placing more areas outside Northern Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) is likely, state weather bureau PAGASA said Saturday.  

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said both Maring (international name: Kompasu) and Nando are embedded within the larger circulation of a monsoon depression.

Likewise, PAGASA said that a near-term erratic movement will remain likely in the next 24 hours as the circulations of both Maring and Nando interact with each other in a potential merger event.

"'MARING' may likely persist in the merger event with “NANDO”, which may take place within the next 24 hours. The resulting merger cyclone is forecast to continue intensifying within the forecast period and may reach severe tropical storm category within 36 hours." 

Afterwards, the resulting merger, likely dominated by 'MARING', is forecast to move generally west northwestward until Monday before turning westward by Tuesday, PAGASA added.

Based on the forecast track, the storm will cross the Luzon Strait and pass over or close to Batanes and Babuyan Islands between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

However, PAGASA said that there is a moderate to high likelihood that changes may still occur in the track and intensity outlook for the tropical cyclone, considering the trend of changes in the forecast scenario in previous bulletins and the uncertainty surrounding the interaction and merger event between Maring and Nando.

TCWS likely in some areas

There is moderate to high likelihood that TCWS No. 1 will be hoisted for some localities in Northern Luzon beginning Saturday or Sunday, as Maring maintained its strength while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said.

"Due to the expansive wind field of 'MARING', the uncertainty in its interaction and possible merging with Tropical Depression 'NANDO', and the track and intensity forecast post-merger, there is a possibility that areas outside Northern Luzon may also be placed under TCWS and that a higher wind signal may still be hoisted within the forecast period," PAGASA said.

No TCWS is currently in effect, but moderate to heavy rains will be possible over Catanduanes, Eastern Visayas, and Dinagat Islands.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are also possible over the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and the rest of Bicol Region, Caraga, and Visayas.

Strong winds

PAGASA said occasional gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale in strength may still be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon even in the absence of a wind signal due to the expansive wind field of Maring.

A gale warning will be in effect for the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao under the influence of Maring.

Also, moderate to rough seas will prevail over the eastern seaboards of the country that are not under gale warning and the northern and western seaboards of Luzon in the next 24 hours.

The said conditions are risky for those using small sea crafts. Mariners are thus advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in the said conditions.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Maring was estimated based on all available data at 820 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 992 hPa

It is moving west northwestward at 15 km/h, with strong winds or higher extend outwards up to 600 km from the center.

NDRRMC

The government has made preparations in anticipation of the possible effect of Maring and Lando, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Saturday.

"Maraming parte ng Pilipinas ang inuulan dahil hinihigop ng bagyong Maring ang south westerlies," NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(Many parts of the Philippines are experiencing rains induced by Tropical Storm Maring and south westerlies.)

"Nakipag-ugnayan na tayo sa mga LGU para sa mga paghahandang gagawin para sa posibleng epekto ng dalawang bagyo," he said.

(We have already coordinated with local government units for the preparations needed to address the possible effects of the two weather disturbances.)

"So far, wala pa tayong mga napapaulat na flooding dahil sa bagyo pero asahan pa rin ang posibilidad ng pagbaha pati landslide," Timbal said.

(So far, we have not yet received any report of flooding due to the storm but flooding and landslides may occur.)  —LBG/KG, GMA News