'Juan' heads to South China Sea, brings rains to Metro

After devastating parts of Northern Luzon on Monday, super typhoon "Juan" (international name: Megi) moved toward the South China Sea on Tuesday but not before bringing rains to Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila and Central Luzon can expect rains as "Juan" moves away from the country. In an interview on dzBB radio, weather forecaster Buddy Javier said their projections indicate that "Juan" may not exit Philippine territory until at least Wednesday night or Thursday morning. "Ang projected na labas niya siguro mga bukas ng gabi o Huwebes ng umaga (The projected exit of 'Juan' is Wednesday night or Thursday morning)," he said. PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin also warned of "ocassional rains becoming stormy over the Western sections of Northern and Central Luzon." According to PAGASA, the rest of the country will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Javier warned fishermen in the Northern and Central Luzon areas against going out to sea because of big waves and strong winds. "Yung circulation ng bagyong 'Juan' may kalakihan, kaya kahit papaalis si 'Juan,' ang pinakabuntot niya kasama ang Metro Manila, halos umabot pa ... Asahan natin ang kalakhang Manila makakaranas ng pag-ulan at bugso ng hangin," PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. (The circulation of 'Juan' is rather wide. Its tail end is affecting Metro Manila, so we can expect more rains and winds.)

Storm signals go down In its 5 a.m. advisory, PAGASA lowered storm signals in the areas affected by "Juan." As of 4 a.m., PAGASA said "Juan" was estimated at 210 kilometers (km) west-southwest of Laoag City, with maximum winds of 160 kilometers per hour (kph0 near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph. By Wednesday morning, it is expected to be 600 km west-northwest of Laoag City. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are:

Ilocos Norte;

Ilocos Sur;

Abra;

La Union,

Pangasinan, and

Zambales. Under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

Apayao;

Cagayan;

Kalinga;

Mt. Province,

Isabela; Ifugao;

Benguet; Nueva Vizcaya;

Quirino;

Aurora;

Tarlac,

Nueva Ecija;

Pampanga;

Bulacan;

Bataan;

Cavite;

Lubang Island, and

Metro Manila. PAGASA reminded residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals against possible flashfloods and landslides. It also reminded residents in coastal areas under Signal 2 to take precautions against possible storm surges. Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest to South will prevail over the rest of Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Southwest to South with slight to moderate seas. PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect the northern and eastern seaboards 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. Floods hit metro Gutter-deep floods hit parts of Metro Manila due to heavy rains since Monday night. The floods had yet to subside in parts of Metro Manila, including parts of Taft Avenue in Manila, before 6 a.m. Tuesday. Vendors sell frozen fish in antipolo Vendors in Antipolo City's public market sold frozen instead of fresh fish Tuesday, saying they could not get their regular supply. Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported the vendors pointed out fishermen in Northern Luzon had been barred from going out to sea due to the threat of "Juan." Bangus (milkfish) sold at P90 per kilo while tilapia was sold at P85 per kilo. –VVP, GMANews.TV