Tropical cyclone warnings were raised in at least 23 areas yesterday as typhoon “Tisoy” (international name “Kammuri”) heads for a direct hit on the Bicol region tonight or tomorrow morning.
Before noon yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration estimated Tisoy’s location at 705 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes. It continues to move west towards Bicol region at a faster rate of 25 kilometers per hour.
It has slightly weakened with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph yesterday from 150 kph maximum winds and gusts up to 185 kph last Saturday.
PAGASA weather forecasting section chief Robert Sawi attributed the weakening of Tisoy to the intrusion of cold air coming from the northeast monsoon or “amihan.”
“Eventually after its landfall, we can observe a gradual decrease in Tisoy’s intensity,” Sawi said.
PAGASA weather division chief Esperanza Cayanan, however, said Tisoy remains a strong tropical cyclone and could still pose serious threat in areas that will be directly affected by the passing of the tropical cyclone.
The huge circulation of Tisoy may bring significant impact on Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Bicol region today until tomorrow.
PAGASA weather specialist Chris Perez said Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar yesterday.
Signal No. 1 was raised in Quezon, including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Burias and Ticao Island, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, northern Iloilo (Ajuy, Anilao, Balasan, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Bingawan, Calinog, Carles, Concepcion, Dingle, Duenas, Estancia, Lambunao, Lemery, Passi City, San Dionisio, San Enrique, San Rafael, and Sara), northern Antique (Culasi, Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, and Tibiao), northern Negros Occidental (Cadiz City, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, Escalante City, Manapla, Sagay City, Silay City, Toboso, and Victorias City), northern Cebu (Asturias, Bantayan, Bogo City, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Daanbantayan, Danao City, Madridejos, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan and Tudela), Samar, Biliran, Camotes Island, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Dinagat Islands.
He said PAGASA may also raise Signal No. 1 over Aurora, eastern Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Bulacan, Bataan, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Guimaras, and the rest of Antique and Iloilo within today.
Today, occasional to frequent heavy rains may already prevail over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran, while moderate to occasional heavy rains can be felt in Romblon, Marinduque, and Quezon. (Ellalyn Ruiz)
