Typhoon Chedeng Threatens Luzon

MANILA - Currently, Typhoon Chedeng (Maysak) is located 1019
East of Sorsogon City or 980 kilometers east southeast of Virac,
Catanduanes moving west northwest at 19 kph. Chedeng has slightly
weakened, its 500-kilometer radius packing maximum sustained winds of
175 kph near the center and gustiness up to 210 kph. According to
PAGASA, the typhoon will still weaken as it approaches the eastern
seaboard of Luzon.
In the press conference held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center in Camp Aguinaldo,
Quezon City, PAGASA announced that Public Storm Warning Signal number 1
will be hoisted this afternoon over Bicol and Northern Samar provinces,
which will prohibit sea travel in said areas. Meanwhile, rough to very
rough sea conditions will be experienced this weekend over the eastern
seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
Chedeng is forecast to make landfall in the eastern coast of either
of the followingand Aurora, Quezon or Isabela by late Saturday to early
Sunday, bringing moderate to heavy rains. Storm surges that are three
meters high may occur over the eastern seas of Samar, Bicol and the
Aurora-Quezon area. Meanwhile, NDRRMC appeals to tourists and travelers
to refrain from surfing in Baler due to the threat of unusual sea waves
beginning tomorrow.
Lenten Weather
Rains with gusty winds will be experienced in Eastern Luzon starting
tomorrow, while Central and Western Luzon will have a warm and humid
condition with isolated rain showers tomorrow until Friday.
Over the weekend, Bicol and Central-Northern Luzon will experience
rains and gusty winds or stormy weather. Meanwhile, Greater Metro Manila
Area will also be subjected to rains and gusty winds. The rest of the
country will have warm and humid conditions. Chedeng is expected to further weaken as it traverses the mountain
ranges in Sierra Madre, and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of
Responsibility (PAR) by Monday.
Zero Casualty Goal
Local governments are all set and prepared for the grand entrance of
Typhoon Chedeng. In fact, 300,790 family food packs and standby funds
amounting to P19,722,674 were transferred to Regions I, II, III, IVA
andamp B, V, VIII, NCR and CAR.
Meanwhile, the national government is also busy with preparation.
Quick Response Teams and the Bureau of Fire Protection are ready for
deployment to conduct pre-emptive evacuation procedures and emergency
response. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
issued warnings to all airports, seaports and land terminals. The Armed Forces of the Philippines declared a Red Alert level in
three of their command centers based in areas that will be hit by the
typhoon, while the Department of Health activated its Emergency
Operations Center.