As Manila reels, northern RP now waiting for Pepeng

(Updated Sept 30, 9:30 a.m.) Even as some flooded areas have not yet been reached by authorities, the country has been told to brace for another tropical storm. But this time northern Luzon expects to bear the brunt of Storm Pepeng by late Wednesday afternoon, state weather forecasters said. Pag-asa warned fishermen and sea travelers on the western coast of Luzon to stay on land. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned fishermen and sea travelers on the western coast of Luzon about rough waves by Wednesday afternoon and not to venture out to sea. Pag-asa said the storm, with international code name “Parma", was moving west-northwest at 11 kph. “Parma" is to be locally code-named “Pepeng" once it enters Philippine territory. "Yung worst scenario, tatama dito sa may Batanes-Taiwan area, sa extreme Northern Luzon (Our models show the worst scenario is that it will hit the Batanes-Taiwan area, in extreme Northern Luzon)," Pagasa forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in areas that “Parma" may affect. She gave the order during the meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). News of Tropical Storm Pepeng came as relief and rehabilitation services for over a million residents affected by Ondoy in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces had barely begun. More than a few flooded communities had not yet been reached, such as neighborhoods in Pasig City, Cainta, Taguig, Quezon City, and Bulacan. Ondoy brought a record amount of rainfall. Meanwhile, Pagasa said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south would prevail over the western section of Luzon with moderate to rough seas. Light to moderate winds blowing from the south to southeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and coming from the south to southwest over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms. Also, Pagasa said the surge of the southwest monsoon is expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. “Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. - GMANews.TV