MANILA, Philippines, October 21 ------ Heavy rains spawned by Tropical Storm Pepito (international name Saudel) triggered floods and landslides in some parts of the country yesterday ahead of its forecast landfall in the Aurora-Isabela area. Pepito, the country’s 16th cyclone this year, gathered more strength as it barreled toward Aurora-Isabela area yesterday afternoon.
It was forecast to make landfall over these areas between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. As of 5 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over Aurora, Benguet, Ifugao, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quirino and Tarlac as well as in the southern portions of Isabela and Ilocos Sur and the northern portions of Quezon province and Zambales. Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Metro Manila as well as in the provinces of Abra, Bataan, Bulacan, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Pampanga and Rizal as well as in the rest of the northern portion of Quezon and the rest of Zambales.
Heavy rains brought by Pepito triggered a landslide in Guinayangan, Quezon. Authorities said several rivers have also overflowed due to heavy rains. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of the storm was spotted 110 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, packing winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. Pepito was forecast to move west northwest at 30 kph. It was expected to exit Luzon landmass this morning. Pepito is likely to intensify into a severe tropical storm tomorrow, PAGASA said.
Weather forecaster Ariel Rojas said Pepito has a huge diameter, bringing rains over most of the country. Pepito will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains over Benguet, Central Luzon, Camarines Norte, Isabela, La Union, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon province and Quirino as well as in mainland Cagayan this morning. Light to moderate to at times heavy rains will persist over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula as well as in the Bangsamoro region. Pepito was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow morning or afternoon.
Source: philstar.com
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