PAGASA: PHL may be spared from Chedeng's full wrath

The Philippines may be spared from the full wrath of typhoon "Chedeng" (international name: Songda) as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the cyclone's present path indicates that it will not make landfall. However, PAGASA forecaster Mario Palafox on Thursday said "Chedeng" will still be strong enough to affect parts of the country, especially Luzon. "Sa galaw ni 'Chedeng' sa mga nakalipas na oras, lumaki ang posibilidad na hindi na tatama sa kalupaan. Nguni't ang tatahakin nitong landas malapit din sa kalupaan ng Northern Luzon, kaya maapektuhan pa rin ang bandang silangan ng Luzon," Palafox said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said Chedeng will also still likely affect Northern Luzon provinces including Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Apayao, Aurora, and Quezon. These areas can expect rains and winds from the typhoon, Palafox said. "Malaki kasi ang radius ng bagyong ito kaya maapektuhan sila kahit hindi tumama," he said. Also, Palafox said they are still not discounting Chedeng, whose path he said had been "erratic" in past days, may make landfall at the "tip" of the Aparri-Cagayan area. "As of now Aparri ang pinakamalapit sa center, at baka lalapit doon on Saturday," added Science Secretary Mario Montejo, in an interview on dwIZ radio. "Sa sobrang likot ni 'Chedeng' at pagbabago ng bilis posibleng lumihis ang bagyo, hindi tatamaan directly ang ating kababayan sa Northern Luzon (With 'Chedeng' moving erratically, there is a chance it will not hit Northern Luzon directly)," Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. added in a separate interview on dZBB. However, Yumul said whether Chedeng will make landfall or miss Luzon completely, Luzon can expect a rainy weekend. Meanwhile, Montejo said Metro Manila will not likely be directly affected as Chedeng is could leave Philippine territory by Sunday. "At the most baka (Signal) 1 lang ang ma-experience ng Metro Manila," Montejo said, adding the storm signal may be experienced on Friday. Change of direction The Japan Meterological Agency's 5:40 a.m. update indicated Chedeng may move northwest but may change direction and move northeast during the weekend. It indicated that by Thursday, Chedeng would have maximum sustained winds of 95 knots (175.94 kilometers per hour) near the center and gustiness of up to 135 knots (250.02 kph). By Saturday, it forecast Chedeng to weaken slightly to have winds of 80 knots (148.16 kph) and gustiness of up to 115 knots (212.98 kph). As of early Thursday, Chedeng gained more strength as it moved northwestward. PAGASA said that as of 4 a.m., it was 270 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph. Chedeng was moving northwest at 15 kph and is expected to be 205 km north of Virac, Catanduanes Friday morning. By Saturday morning it is expected to be 70 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 165 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes. Areas under Storm Signal No. 2 are:

• Catanduanes
• Sorsogon
• Albay
• Camarines Sur
• Camarines Norte
• Samar Provinces

Areas under Signal No. 1 are:

• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Aurora
• Quezon
• Polillo Islands
• Marinduque
• Burias Island
• Ticao Island
• Masbate
• Northern Leyte
• Biliran Island

PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be on alert against possible flash floods and landslides. It also reminded those living in coastal areas to be alert against big waves or storm surges. Chedeng is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao, PAGASA said. "Bicol Region and Samar Provinces will experience stormy weather while the rest of Eastern Luzon including Masbate, Marinduque, Burias Island, Northern Leyte and Biliran Island will have rains with gusty winds. The rest of the country will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. — LBG, GMA News