Storm 'Megi' intensifies into typhoon

Tropical storm "Megi" has intensified into a typhoon as it continues its path towards the Cagayan Valley region in northern Philippines. The typhoon will be codenamed "Juan" once it enters Philippine territory Friday night, according to Nathaniel Servando, deputy director for research and development of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Megi, which was spotted 1,200 kilometers east of Southern Luzon, is considered by Servando as "one of the stronger typhoons in the country this year." As of 2 p.m., it packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.
View Tropical Storm "Megi" (Juan) anticipated trajectory in a larger map Megi, the tenth tropical storm in the Philippines this year, is forecast to make landfall in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela on Monday afternoon, but PAGASA warned against any sea travel as early as Sunday morning. Although expected to pass through the northern part of Luzon, Megi will still affect weather conditions over southern Luzon and Metro Manila. "Metro Manila will not be hit directly pero magkakaroon pa rin ng cloudy skies and pag-uulan [but there will still be cloudy skies and rains]," he said at a press conference at the PAGASA headquarters in Quezon City. "Maraming siyang kulog kaya ibig sabihin lalo siyang lumalakas [We have observed many thunderstorms, an indication that Megi is further gaining strength]," he added. PAGASA will start issuing hourly updates on Megi through its Twitter account (@dost_pagasa) once storm warning signals have been raised in affected areas. Elvira Calina of the Cagayan Valley Regional Office of Civil Defense told GMANews.TV that they are already bracing for Megi's arrival, and have laid out contingency plans. Police and military officials are on stand by for possible deployment and rescue operations. The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already informed the OCD that it has enough stockpile of relief goods. Calina praised the new leadership at PAGASA for releasing storm updates more frequently. "Hindi ko masasabing totally prepared kami, kasi hindi tayo sigurado kung magiging gaano kalakas talaga ang bagyo. Pero at least, dahil mas madalas tayo nabibigyan ng updates, mas nakakapaghanda tayo," she said. [We cannot say we are totally prepare since we do not know yet the extent of the typhoon's strength. But at least we get to prepare because of the more frequent updates.]— Mark Merueñas/TJD, GMANews.TV