(Photo courtesy of DOST-PAGASA)
MANILA -- Typhoon Ompong has slightly weakened as it heads for Ilocos Norte on Saturday morning, said the weather bureau.
“Ompong” was last eyed in the vicinity of Kabugao, Apayao, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km. per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 305 kph, and moving west at 30 kph, slightly slower from the previous 35 kph.
This was based on the 8 a.m. bulletin released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) no. 4 was raised over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Babuyan Group of Islands, while TCWS No. 3 was raised over Cagayan, Batanes, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, and northern Isabela.
PAGASA warned that there's a possible storm surge height in several surge-prone areas: up to 6 meters in Ilocos Norte, and up to 2 meters in Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Southern Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Zambales, Quirino, Pampanga, Bulacan, northern Quezon including Polillo Island are under TCWS no. 2.
Bataan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, rest of Quezon and Lubang Island are under TCWS no. 1.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon enhanced by "Ompong" will bring gusty winds with occasional moderate to heavy rains over western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, ARMM, Mimaropa and Bicol.
Scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains will prevail over eastern and central Visayas, the bureau said.
"Residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides," it noted.
PAGASA also advised fisherfolk not to venture out over seaboards that are under TCWS 1-4, and the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and northern and western seaboards of Mindanao. (PNA)
