Signal No. 2 Up in 5 Luzon Areas as ‘Dodong’ Gains Strength

Manila (PNA) — At least five provinces of Luzon are now under public storm warning signal no. 2 as Typhoon “Dodong” gains strength and continues to move west northwest, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada said that as of 7 a.m. Dodong was located at 245 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes (14.2°N,126.4°E).

Cada said the typhoon’s maximum sustained winds has increased to 160 kilometers per hour (kph) from 150 kph near the center while its gustiness also increased to 195 kph from 185 kph.

Cada said Dodong is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

With its current speed and movement, he said it is expected to make landfall in Isabela-Cagayan area.

After making a landfall, Dodong is expected to slightly weaken when it hits land. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday (May 12) towards Japan.

He added there is no possibility for Dodong to develop into a super typhoon.

Meanwhile, he said that the provinces of Catanduanes, Polillo Island, Aurora, Isabela and Quirino is under signal no. 2 (winds of 61-100 kilometers per hour expected in at least 24 hours).

Storm surge is possible over coastal areas under signal no. 2.

He added that public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds is expected in at least 36 hours) is still hoisted over the provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Apayao, Benguet and Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, and Eastern and Northern Samar in Visayas.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 will be possibly raised over the provinces of La Union, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan.

The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to intense within the 300-km diameter of the typhoon.

Cada also said the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms on weekend due to extended cloudiness of the typhoon.

It is also possible for coastal areas to experience storm surge with 1.25-4.0-meters wave height.

In its advisory, PAGASA said stormy weather with rough to very rough seas will be experienced over Catanduanes, Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino and Isabela while Cordillera, rest of Bicol region, Cagayan Valley, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Quezon and Nueva Ecija will have rains with gusty winds.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, rest of Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and rest of Visayas and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

It added moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over the rest of eastern section of Luzon and from the northeast to northwest over Visayas and from the southwest over Mindanao with moderate to rough seas.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.

The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of typhoon Dodong as the sea condition will be rough to very rough due to strong togale force winds is expected to affect the eastern seaboards of Leyte.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned. (PNA) JBP/CLTC