At least 12 areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under storm signals yesterday as typhoon “Dodong” maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph moving west-northwest at 20 kph.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Catanduanes was placed under storm signal No. 2, while areas under signal No. 1 are Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar
PAGASA cautioned against sailing in waters off the eastern seaboard of these areas because of moderate to rough sea condition and waves can go as high as four meters.
About 3,000 passengers and 330 trucks, buses, vans, and cars were reported stranded in the ports of Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur, and Albay after the Philippine Coast Guard issued a “no sailing” order in three Bicol ports Friday after storm signals were raised in the area, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.
Rachelle Miranda, OCD public information officer, said as of 10 a.m. Friday, there were 1,942 passengers bound for the Samar and Leyte provinces who were stranded in the port of Matnog, 859 in Albay, and 14 passengers in Masbate port.
Today “Dodong” is expected to be 160 km North Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, and will probably be in the vicinity of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan tomorrow (May 10).
Weather forecaster Fernando Cada said “Dodong” will bring heavy to intense rainfall within its 300-km diameter and is expected to make landfall over the Isabela-Cagayan area.
By Monday afternoon, it will be 280 km northeast of Basco, Batanes, and 810 km northeast of Basco by Tuesday afternoon.
Upon landfall, Dodong is expected to weaken and move northeast towards northern Luzon.
Manila Bulletin
