PAGASA: 'Chedeng' will no longer make landfall in PHL

UPDATED 3:45 p.m. - The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said typhoon "Chedeng" will no longer make landfall as it moves toward the northwest part of the country and out of the Philippine area of responsibility. Based on PAGASA's latest projection on Thursday morning, "Chedeng" is moving north toward the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon, said PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang in an interview on "Balitanghali." The typhoon is expected to move out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday morning, he said. As of 11:00 a.m., "Chedeng" was moving 12 kilometers per hour northwest, with its center located 230 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, PAGASA said.
Galang said PAGASA's forecast of typhoon "Chedeng" is based on data sent hourly to the weather forecasting center. Projections show that the typhoon will no longer return to the country, he added. Nevertheless, he said Northern Luzon residents will still experience rains. Catanduanes and Camarines Sur are still under Signal No. 2. Meanwhile, the following provinces are under Signal No. 1:

Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Aurora

Quezon

Polilio Islands

Camarines Norte

Albay

Sorsogon

Marinduque

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Biliran Island PAGASA reminds residents in eastern Northern Luzon, particularly the Cagayan-Aparri area, to be on alert against possible flash floods and landslides. At a press conference just before noon on Monday, chief forecaster Robert Sawi said that while "Chedeng" is no longer expected to make landfall, the typhoon's speed has intensified, reaching 170 kph. He said the Bicol and Samar areas are currently experiencing rains, but it is expected that the condition will change by Thursday evening or early morning Friday. "Makikita natin by this evening, nasa Eastern Coast ng Central Luzon (ang bagyo). Expect more than 200 millimeters of rain," he said. "Ine-expect by Saturday or Sunday, maulan sa Metro Manila." "Chedeng will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday evening or early morning of Sunday," he said. Conflicting forecasts PAGASA has drawn flak from the public for its forecasts that have conflicted with international weather bureaus earlier this week, casting doubt on the accuracy of their methods. The Japan Meteorological Agency already reported on Wednesday that "Chedeng" will not hit land but will graze Luzon's east coast. Galang said other weather agencies only use numerical models to track the typhoon, while PAGASA also uses "observed data" sent from their instruments around the country to their weather forecasting center. In the same press conference, PAGASA officer-in-charge and Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said the initial forecasts that the typhoon will make landfall were based on model and satellite imageries monitored by PAGASA using instruments that they laid out all over the country. "Malikot ang bagyo, paiba-iba ang speed. At ang forecast ng PAGASA ay base sa characteristic ng bagyo," Yumul said.- VVP, GMA News