Storm signals lifted as ‘Pepeng’ moves farther away

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) lowered on Saturday afternoon all public storm warnings hoisted over provinces in the country as tropical depression “Pepeng" (Parma) moved farther away from the country.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Pagasa said Pepeng was traced at 250 kilometers west of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, with maximum sustained wind off 55 kph near the center. Pepeng is forecast to move northwest at 15 kph, and is expected at 520 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag by Sunday afternoon. Weather forecasters earlier said that Pepeng is unlikely to return again to the country after making three landfalls in northern Luzon. Pepeng, the 16th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year, first slammed into northern Luzon on Oct.3 with powerful center winds of 175 kph, causing big damage to crops in Isabela and Cagayan provinces. Weather forecasters had said that before Pepeng could move away, it was pulled back by typhoon Quedan (Melor), which followed in its wake from the south Pacific Ocean. On Oct. 7, it made a second landfall in the northern tip of Luzon, after which it exited against west of Laoag, only to return again the next day. Although its winds were not strong enough to cause damage, it spawned continuous rain that soaked mountains, causing landslides that left at least 195 people in Benguet, Baguio and Mountain Province. It also caused widespread flooding in Pangasinan and Central Luzon, forcing residents in many towns to flee to evacuations centers or to rooftops, - Andreo C. Calonzo, GMANews.TV