Super typhoon to hit Metro, provinces; classes suspended

Authorities suspended classes for Thursday in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces as the nation braced for the onslaught of "Reming," which has intensified into a super typhoon. State weather forecasters declared Wednesday that Reming (international name: Durian) gathered strength and was classified as a supertyphoon packing 190-kilometer-per-hour winds near the center, with gustiness of up to 225 kph. Apart from Metro Manila, all classes will be suspended in the Southern Luzon provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. These areas were placed under Signal No. 2 at 11 p.m. Wednesday. Metereologists have noted that Reming is stronger than typhoon "Milenyo" (Xangsane), which tore through parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and the Visayas in late September. Milenyo, in comparison, packed 130-160 kph winds. Malacañang on Wednesday night announced that all government offices will be opened Thursday, radio dzBB reported. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made the announcement to clarify that only classes in all levels in Metro Manila and provinces threatened by the super typhoon are suspended. Earlier in the day, education officials canceled classes at all levels in the Bicol region. As of 10 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Reming" was located 190 km east of Virac, Catanduanes packing winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It was moving west northwest at 17 kph and is expected to make landfall in Catanduanes around 2 a.m. Thursday. Signal number 4, the highest warning level, is in effect over the island province of Catanduanes in Bicol region. Meanwhile, Signal number 3 was hoisted over Albay, Camarines province, and Polillo Island. Elementary and high school classes will not push through in Sorsogon, Burias Island, Aurora, parts of Quezon and northern Samar, which are all under Signal number 2. Also under storm signal 2 were Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Romblon, Biliran, Masbate, Marinduque, Mindoro Oriental, Lubang Islands and Northern Samar. Doctor Anthony Golez, deputy administrator of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), said in an interview on dzBB radio that no casualties have been recorded as of posting time in areas under signals 3 and 4. For his part, NDCC Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza will coordinate with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) also by 11 p.m. Wednesday for the possible halting of all modes of transportation. Meanwhile, Catanduanes provincial officials had opened the capitol for residents to use as a possible evacuation center, dzRH radio reported. Pagasa predicted Reming to be in the vicinity of Sipocot in Camarines Sur by Thursday afternoon. Come Friday afternoon it is expected to be 130 km west of Metro Manila; and 390 kms west-southwest of Iba, Zambales Saturday afternoon. "Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against flashfloods and landslides, respectively while those living in coastal areas under Storm Signals 2, 3 and 4 are advised to seek higher grounds due to possible storm surge," Pagasa said. Some 300 seafarers in the Bicol region have been stranded in various ports as of Wednesday afternoon. -GMANews.TV