New cyclone 'Quiel' may enter PHL Wednesday afternoon

Barely had Typhoon Pedring (Nesat) left Philippine territory when an incoming tropical cyclone threatens to pound northern Luzon again, the Department of Science and Technology said Wednesday. DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said the cyclone, a tropical storm with international code name "Nalgae," is expected to enter Philippine territory Wednesday afternoon. "Ngayon ang Tropical Storm 'Nalgae' namataan 1,400 km east ng northern Luzon. Pagpasok niya mamayang hapon, tatawagin na natin siyang Tropical Storm 'Quiel' (Tropical storm 'Nalgae' has been spotted 1,400 km east of Northern Luzon. Once it enters Philippine territory Wednesday afternoon, we will locally codename it 'Quiel')," Yumul said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said there is a great chance of "Quiel" intensifying into a powerful cyclone, noting it had been a tropical depression only on Tuesday. The cyclone is likely to gain strength as it continues to travel over the sea toward Philippine territory, he added. "Sa mga initial track line, northern Luzon ang itaas ang tinutumbok. (Pero) napakaaga pa sabihin dahil ito pabago-bago (Our initial track line shows it may hit Northern Luzon. But it may be too early to tell because it might still change course)," he said. Yumul also said "Quiel" had absorbed a budding tropical cyclone that would have been locally codenamed "Ramon" had it entered Philippine territory. But he said the effects of "Quiel" may not be felt until at least Friday. "Malayo pa ito. Kung may inasahang pagbabago, Biyernes o Sabado, Linggo ang epekto (It is still far from the Philippines. Any direct effect will likely be felt on Friday or Saturday or Sunday)," he said. Pedring's exit As this developed, Yumul said Pedring continues to exit Philippine territory after pounding parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Pedring left 18 people dead. "Pag palayo, inaasahan natin gradual improvement lalo sa NCR. Kaya kaunting antay, kaunting pag-ingat pa rin, nariyan pa ang bagyo. Mamayang hapon makakahinga tayo [nang] maluwag kay 'Pedring' (As 'Pedring' continues to move away we can expect a gradual improvement in weather conditions in Metro Manila. We should remain careful but we can expect improved weather conditions by then)," he said. Yumul said "Pedring" and "Quiel" are not likely to interact with each other. As of 4 a.m., PAGASA said Pedring was estimated at 300 km northwest of Baguio City, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It was forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph and is expected to be 500 km northwest of Baguio City Wednesday afternoon. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are: