Storm Signal No. 2 over Samar and much of Bicol

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised storm signal no. 2 over the Samar provinces and the Bicol provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. Storm winds ranging from 60 kph to 100 kph will blow over these provinces. Storm "Chedeng" (Songda) was spotted 365 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar as of 4:00am Wednesday.

The latest forecast is for Chedeng to reach Isabela or Cagayan by Saturday. PAGASA has also raised storm signal no. 1 over Marinduque, Masbate, Burias Island, Ticao Island, Southern Quezon, Polillo Island, and Biliran Island. These areas will have storm winds 45 kph to 60 kph strong. Chedeng has slowed down to 13 kilometers per hour (kph) but has maintained its west northwest direction and top center winds strength of 115 kph. PAGASA said Chedeng will enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains over the Visayas and Mindanao. By Friday morning, the storm is forecast to be 120 kilometers southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. Second scenario Meanwhile, PAGASA warned Metro Manila residents Wednesday Chedeng might hit the National Capital Region, as the storm had been moving westward for the last few hours. PAGASA officer-in-charge and Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said there is a "scenario" that Chedeng may hit Samar, then Bicol, and then Metro Manila.
"Kapag tumama sa Samar, base sa climatological record, ang susunod na tatamaan Bicol. At kung tumama sa Bicol, ang posibilidad na tatamaan ang Metro Manila ay naroon po. Yun ang second scenario para di mabigla ang ating kababayan na may ganoong posibilidad. Samar-Bicol-Metro Manila ang track line," Yumul said in an interview on Unang Balita. He said PAGASA is still gathering data and may be able to better assess by noon the chances of Chedeng hitting Metro Manila. Rainfall estimate Yumul said Chedeng may bring much rain, drawing rainclouds from the South China Sea. "There is the possibility of Chedeng merging with the monsoon to dump rains on Metro Manila," he said. PAGASA also said it is monitoring a low-pressure area that may potentially become the fourth cyclone to enter Philippine territory this year. Should the LPA become a cyclone and enter Philippine territory, it will be codenamed "Dodong." "Sa model na ginagamit namin may nakikita kaming papasok pag-alis ni Chedeng. Malayo pa po (ito); sa ngayon ay kaulapan pa lang yan," PAGASA forecaster Mario Palafox said in an interview on dzBB radio. — Earl Rosero/HS/LBG, GMA News