Weather Update: Typhoon ‘Dodong’ Maintains Strength and Direction — PAGASA

Typhoon “Dodong” has maintained its strength and speed while continuing to move in a west-northwest direction toward Eastern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday.

In its weather bulletin update, PAGASA said that as of 11 a.m., typhoon “Dodong” was located at 470 kilometers east-northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar (12.2°N, 129.7°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center while its gustiness was up to 185 kph.

The typhoon continues to move west-northwest at 17 kph.

With its current speed and movement, “Dodong” is expected to make landfall on Sunday (May 10) in the Isabela-Aurora area, the state-run weather agency said.

After making a landfall, typhoon “Dodong” is expected to slightly weaken because normally, a typhoon with such intensity slightly weakens because of presence of mountains when it hits land and probably as it exits PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) by Tuesday (May 12) headed toward Japan.

In its five-day forecast positions of the typhoon, PAGASA said it is expected to be at 250 km east of Virac, Catanduanes by Saturday morning; at the vicinity of Isabela, Cagayan by Sunday morning; at 100 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes by Monday morning, and at 840 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan (outside PAR) by Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in at least 36 hours) is still hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Polillo Island in Quezon; and Northern Samar in Visayas.

PSWS No. 1 will be possibly raised over the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Rizal, Quezon and Nueva Ecija.

The potential impacts of the winds under signal No. 1 are the following:

• No damage to high-risk structures.

• Light damage to medium- to low-risk structures.

• Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities.

• Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged.

• Twigs of small trees may be broken.

• Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.

The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to intense within the 300-km diameter of the typhoon. (PNA) SCS/CLTC