BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ
Tropical cyclone “Pepito” has intensified into a tropical storm ahead of its landfall over Aurora or Isabela between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
As the storm moves closer to land, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Signal No. 2 over La Union, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, southern portion of Isabela (Palanan, San Mariano, Benito Soliven, Naguilian, Gamu, Burgos, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Cauayan City, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Alicia, San Mateo, Ramon, San Isidro, Echague, San Agustin, Jones, Santiago City, Cordon); southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sugpon, Alilem, Tagudin); northern portion of Zambales (Iba, Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Botolan, Cabangan); and northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar).
Signal No. 1 is hoisted over Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, northern portion of Camarines Norte (Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Capalonga, Vinzons); Catanduanes, the rest of northern portion of Quezon (Infanta, Real), and the rest of Zambales.
“Pepito” was at 295 kilometers (km) east of Baler, Aurora around 10 a.m., Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
After its landfall, the storm will cross Luzon, re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday morning, and exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday.
It is seen to further intensify and reach severe tropical storm category by Thursday while over the West Philippine Sea.
The public should brace for moderate to heavy rains, especially those in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Quezon, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, mainland Cagayan, Pangasinan, and Benguet.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will also prevail over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental. (Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz)
