PAGASA: 'Gener' maintains slow climb north; floods, landslides threaten parts of Luzon, Visayas

Typhoon "Gener" (Saola) maintained its slow pace northward even as flash floods and landslides threaten parts of Luzon and Visayas, which have been saturated after days of heavy rain, state weather forecasters said Tuesday.

 

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Bernie de Leon said "Gener," which enhanced the southwest monsoon that brought rain to Luzon and Visayas, has maintained its strength and speed.

 

"Inaasahan natin 2-3 days unti-unti gaganda ang panahon, pero pinapayuhan natin ang mga residente, lalo sa western section ng Luzon at Visayas, na mag-ingat sa posibleng flash flood at landslide dahil sa patuloy na nararanasan na patuloy na pag-ulan. Saturated ang lupa," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

PAGASA estimated "Gener" to bring rainfall of 10 to 20 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 700-km diameter.

 

He added Luzon and Visayas can still expect rain from the southwest monsoon, though not as intense as Sunday night and Monday.

 

De Leon said the rain will be "moderate to heavy."

 

"Pero ngayon dahil medyo tumaas na o gumalaw kahit papaano si 'Gener,' hindi natin inaasahan ang talagang malakas na ulan na naranasan natin nitong nakaraang mga araw," he said.

 

PAGASA said that as of 4 a.m., "Gener" was estimated at 180 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

 

It was moving north-northwest at 7 kph and is expected to be 240 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes Wednesday morning.

 

By Thursday morning it is expected to be 460 km north of Basco, Batanes. It is expected to be 670 km north-northwest of Basco, Batanes and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday.

 

Storm signals

 

Batanes remained under Storm Signal No. 3 while Cagayan, Calayan and Babuyan remained under Storm Signal No. 2.

 

Under Signal No. 1 are Isabela, Kalinga, and Apayao.

 

Batanes group of islands will experience stormy weather while Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of islands will have rain with gusty winds. PAGASA said the coastal waters along these areas will be rough to very rough.

 

The rest of Luzon and Visayas will experience occasional rains which will become more frequent over the western sections. This may trigger flash floods and landslides, it added.

 

Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

 

Moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail over Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and coming from the west to southwest over the rest of Northern Luzon.

 

The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

 

Southwest monsoon

 

PAGASA said "Gener" is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rain and moderate to strong winds over Luzon and Visayas especially the western section.

 

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under (Signals 3 and 2) are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by ('Gener')," it said.

 

It also advised fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the seaboard of Luzon and Visayas due to the combined effect of "Gener" and the southwest monsoon. –KG, GMA News