Sunday, May 8, 2011

Bebeng' intensifies further; 10 areas under storm signal 2

At least 10 areas were placed under Storm Signal 2 as tropical storm "Bebeng" (international code name Aere) intensified further and was forecast to make landfall over Bicol Sunday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Bebeng was about 40 km southeast of Virac, Catanduanes as of 4 a.m.

"Bicol Region, Quezon Province and Northern Samar will experience stormy weather while the rest of Eastern Luzon and of Samar Provinces will have rains with gusty winds. The rest of Central and Southern Luzon and the Visayas will be cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

It added the rest of the country will be having mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

PAGASA said Bebeng packed maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 13 kph.

By Monday morning it is expected to be 100 km southeast of Baler, Aurora. By Tuesday morning it is expected to be 70 km southeast of Laoag City. By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 250 km north-northwest of Laoag City or 180 km west-northwest of Basco, Batanes.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 2 are:
  • Sorsogon
  • Albay
  • Camarines Sur
  • Camarines Norte
  • Catanduanes
  • Polilio Island
  • Quezon
  • Burias Island
  • Ticao Island
  • Northern Samar
Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are:
  • Masbate
  • Marinduque
  • Romblon
  • Laguna
  • Rizal
  • Bulacan
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Nueva Vizcaya
  • Quirino
  • Aurora
  • Isabela
  • Eastern Samar
  • Western Samar
PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to take precautions against possible flash floods and landslides.

It also reminded residents in coastal areas under Signal 2 to remain alert against possible storm surges. - GMANEWS.TV

Signal 2 up over Bicol, Samar as Bebeng intensifies

Tropical cyclone Bebeng (international code name: Aere) intensified into a storm late Saturday, prompting state weather forecasters to place at least five areas under Storm Signal No. 2.

In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Bebeng was 220 km east of Legazpi City in Albay as of 4 p.m.

PAGASA said Bebeng packed maximum winds of 65 kph near the center and was moving northwest at 13 kph.

By Sunday afternoon, it is expected to be 60 km northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte. By Monday afternoon, it is expected to be 110 km north of Baler, Aurora, or 70 km south of Tuguegarao City.

Come Tuesday afternoon, it is expected to be 190 km northwest of Aparri, Cagayan, or 200 km west-southwest of Basco, Batanes.

Under Storm Signal No. 2 were:

1) Sorsogon
2) Albay
3) Camarines Sur
4) Catanduanes
5) Northern Samar

Under Storm Signal No. 1 were:

1) Masbate
2) Ticao island
3) Burias island
4) Camarines Norte
5) Quezon
6) Polillo island
7) Aurora
8) Marinduque
9) Eastern Samar
10) Western Samar


Northern Samar, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur will experience stormy weather "with rough to very rough seas," PAGASA said.

"Eastern and Western Samar, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, Camarines Norte, Quezon province, including Polilio island, Aurora, and Marinduque will have rains with gusty winds and with moderate to rough seas," the agency added.

The rest of Southern Luzon and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, it also said.

PAGASA said the rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

"Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate west to southwest with slight to moderate seas," according to PAGASA.

PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal Nos. 2 and 1 to take precautions against possible flash floods and landslides.

It said residents in coastal areas under storm signals should be alert against possible storm surges.

Rains, flash floods surprise Metro Manila folk

Heavy rains and flash floods hit some areas of Metro Manila Saturday night, surprising residents already used to hot weather in past weeks.

Residents who did not bring umbrellas were soaked while others were stranded waiting for public utility vehicles like jeeps and buses to pass by.

At a mall in Manila, some shoppers were forced to get out of the building after it lost power and was forced to use emergency lights at about 8 p.m.

Many were forced to wade in floodwaters while others were forced to shell out money to pedicab and "kuliglig" drivers. - GMANEWS.TV