PAGASA: Cyclone that could be as powerful as 'Juan' may enter RP Saturday

A potential cyclone that may become as powerful as super typhoon "Juan" may enter Philippine territory this weekend, state weather forecasters said on Wednesday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the potential cyclone is presently still a low-pressure area (LPA) just outside the Philippine area of responsibility. "Sa mga pinapakita ng mga model natin ngayon ay kamukhang-kamukha o may pagkakahawig doon sa naging takbo ni 'Juan,' at dahil nga sa panahon na ito inaasahan natin malakas ang bagyong mararanasan natin may posibilidad maging kasing lakas ni 'Juan' ang bagyong ito," PAGASA forecaster Mario Palafox said at a press briefing Wednesday evening. (For now our models show the LPA may become as powerful as 'Juan' and may even take a similar path.) As of Wednesday , the death toll from ‘Juan’ rose to 17 while estimated damage to agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure rose to around P5 billion, reports from different government agencies said. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), at least 20 have been injured while the number of families affected by ‘Juan’ increased to over 63,000 households. He said it is possible the LPA may become a cyclone before it enters Philippine territory Saturday. Once the cyclone is inside the Philippine territory, it will be codenamed "Katring." However, he said it is possible the potential cyclone will not dampen the October 25 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections. On election day, the new disturbance may still be far from land while "Juan" (Megi) would have moved away from Philippine territory. Meanwhile, at least six areas in Northern Luzon remained under Storm Signal No. 1 as typhoon "Juan" remained virtually stationary Wednesday afternoon. PAGASA said "Juan" remained 350 kilometers (km) west of Laoag City and is forecast to move north-northeast at 7 kilometers per hour (kph). It said "Juan" packed maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. By Thursday afternoon, it is expected to be 320 km west-northwest of Laoag City or 430 km west-southwest of Batanes. On Friday afternoon, it is forecast to be 370 km west of Batanes. Still under Signal No. 1 are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, and Zambales. PAGASA reminded residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides. It reminded residents along the coastal areas of Western Luzon against possible storm surges. –VVP, GMANews.TV