PAGASA: 'Juan' to leave RP by noon but threat remains in north Luzon

Even as it is expected to leave Philippine territory by noon Wednesday, Typhoon Juan (international name: Megi) continues to pose a threat to parts of Northern Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of big waves threatening fishermen in Luzon and Western Visayas. "Inaasahan pa rin natin ang karagatan sa hilagang Luzon at silangang Luzon at karagatang nakapaligid sa Hilagang Luzon at part ng Western Visayas, maalon pa rin. Basically mga karagatan sa paligid ng Luzon at Western Visayas, di advisable sa sasakyang dagat puntahan," PAGASA forecaster Chris Perez told radio dzBB in an interview. (We still expect big waves in the seas in Northern and Western Luzon and part of Western Visayas. It is not advisable to sail in waters around Luzon and Western Visayas for now.) In a separate radio interview, PAGASA officer-in-charge Graciano Yumul Jr. warned that the waves may be as high as four meters and pose a threat to seagoing vessels. "Mga 4 meters ang taas ng alon. Kung ang bangka medyo maliit, delikado po (The waves can reach four meters high. If your boat is small, you can get in trouble)," Yumul said on dzXL radio. Also, Perez warned of possible flash floods and landslides in six areas still under Storm Signal 1 — Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, and Zambales. He said cloudy skies and thunderstorms still loom over Luzon, including Metro Manila. Out of RP by noon On the other hand, PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said they expect Juan to leave Philippine territory by Wednesday noon. "Ang estimate namin baka mamayang tanghali lalabas sa Philippine area of responsibility (We estimate 'Juan' to leave Philippine area of responsibility by noon)," Aurelio said in an interview on dzBB. He also said their models indicate no chance of Juan making a U-turn and returning to Philippine territory.

PAGASA's 5 a.m. advisory said Juan maintained its strength as it continues to move west northwest slowly. It said that as of 4 a.m., Juan was 340 km west northwest of Dagupan City, with maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. Juan is forecast to move west-northwest at 7 kph and be 440 km west of Laoag City Thursday morning; and 570 km west northwest of Laoag City Friday morning. "Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides... Residents along the coastal areas of Western Luzon are alerted of possible storm surges," it added. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA warned of rains and gusty winds in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet and Zambales. Another storm? At the same time, PAGASA's Perez allayed fears by Isabela residents of another storm coming immediately after Juan. A report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo said many residents in the coastal areas of Isabela, including Maconacon, were wary of a new typhoon coming immediately after Juan. "Sa ngayon wala pa tayong nakikita (For now we do not see an incoming cyclone)," Perez said. Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan and Dinapigue towns remained isolated as of Wednesday, with at least three people killed in Maconacon due to a storm surge. An Associated Press report said Juan claimed 13 lives in the northern provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Pangasinan. (See: After killing 13 in RP, 'Megi' targets China) The dzBB report said the storm surge came amid zero visibility, sweeping away two and crushing one. Authorities are attempting to get relief goods to the four areas via helicopter, the report said. — RSJ, GMANews.TV