PAGASA: 7 areas under Storm Signal 3; new cyclone may enter PAR Sunday

(Updated 3 p.m.) At least seven areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 3 as Typhoon Santi (Nari) intensified further before noon Friday, PAGASA said.

Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said their models show Typhoon Santi is likely to cross at least eight provinces before exiting Luzon.

"Ini-expect natin na mag-landfall ito sa northern Aurora-Isabela area, maaring late evening or madaling araw bukas. Tatahakin niya ang probinsiya ng Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao, Benguet, Pangasinan, at La Union," he said in a media briefing, parts of which were aired on dzBB radio.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 3 are:
Aurelio also said they are tracking an approaching cyclone that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), likely on Sunday afternoon, just as Santi is exiting the PAR.

If the cyclone enters the PAR, it will be locally codenamed "Tino," but PAGASA does not expect it to make landfall.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the approaching cyclone has an international codename of Wipha. It was classified a tropical storm as of 9:10 a.m.

However, PAGASA said it is not discounting the possibility the two may interact while inside the PAR.

Santi's position

PAGASA's 11 a.m. advisory said that as of 10 a.m., Santi was estimated at 240 km east of Baler, Aurora. It packed maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

It is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph and is expected to be in the vicinity of Benguet Saturday morning.

By Sunday morning, it is expected to be 300 km northwest of Dagupan City. By Monday morning, it is expected to be 640 km northwest of Baguio City.

Also, it said Santi may bring rainfall of 7.5 to 30 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 500-km diameter.

PAGASA advised residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides.

Also, it warned those in coastal areas under Signal 2 and 3 to be alert against storm surges.

"Sea travel is risky over the seaboard of Luzon and of Eastern Visayas," it said.

Magat Dam

PAGASA is also monitoring the water level in Magat Dam in Isabela province.

“Kung tumapat na sa direksyon ng Magat Dam (si Santi), doon po mapupuno [ito]. So hindi tayo makakapagbigay ng exact time, nandoon po yun sa kung kailan darating or dadaan yung mga pag-uulan doon sa reservoir,” said Roy Badilla of PAGASA's Hydro-Meteorology Division in a press conference on Friday.

On the other hand, Robert Sawi, OIC of PAGASA's Weather Division, assured the public that Santi and the incoming storm would not merge.

“What I see now ay talagang tuloy-tuloy na kikilos itong si Santi towards the landmass of Luzon, particularly North and Central Luzon at ito naman si Tino ay unti unting lalapit rin sa PAR then eventually baka gumalaw pa towards West Northwest,” he said.

“Hindi po siya (Tinio) makakaapekto sa ulan dahil sa ngayon ay nasa transition period po tayo. Kung nandodoon na po siya sa malayo, yung ating Habagat ay wala na po ngayong gaanong lakas,” he added.

Also, GMA's resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on Friday said Tino will not have any significant effect on rainfall since it is still relatively far away. Habagat is also weakening this October.

“Kung malakas pa ang Habagat, dapat malakas na ang ulan kahapon pa,” Cruz said.

Sailing, liquor bans

In Isabela, a report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo said Governor Faustino Dy III ordered a liquor ban to prevent any untoward incident.

The report quoted Dy as noting many drowning deaths during cyclones occurred when the victims were drunk.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard banned sailing of vessels in areas affected by Santi since 11 p.m. Thursday, dzBB's Manny Vargas reported.

AFP's NoLCom units on alert

The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Northern Luzon Command was placed on alert for disaster response.

NoLCom spokesman Maj. Emmanuel Garcia told reporters "The 7th infantry division in particular has directed the 56th infantry battalion covering Aurora province to prepare for any eventuality and respond if the need arises."

"The different Disaster Response Units (DRU) of the 7th infantry division and 5th Infantry division were placed on standby to augment units in assisting local communities in the estimated direct path of Santi," he added.

Each battalion has one company as DRU and each other company has one platoon as Disaster response team (DRT) to augment the  DRU company if needed, he said. — with a report from Kim Luces /LBG/KG, GMA News