Super Typhoon Pepito Threatens Bicol Region, 54 Flights Canceled.
MANILA: Super Typhoon Pepito, internationally known as Man-yi, continues to pose a significant threat to the northeastern Bicol Region, as reported by the weather bureau in a 5 p.m. bulletin on Saturday. The typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness reaching up to 240 kph, was located 120 km east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 4 p.m., moving west northwestward at 20 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 5 has been raised over Catanduanes and the northeastern part of Camarines Sur, including Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, and Presentacion. Meanwhile, TCWS no. 4 affects Camarines Norte, northern and southeastern parts of Camarines Sur, and the northeastern portion of Albay, including several cities and municipalities. Regions under these signals are expected to experience typhoon-force winds.
TCWS no. 3 covers the Polillo Islands, northern and eastern parts of mainland Quezon, the rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, and the northern section of Sors
ogon. Storm-force winds are expected in these areas. Gale-force winds are forecasted in regions under TCWS no. 2, including parts of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and several other provinces. Areas under TCWS no. 1 will experience strong winds, impacting a wide range of regions including mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, and parts of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro among others.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has predicted intense to torrential rains over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Camarines Norte. Other regions such as Quezon, Northern Samar, and Sorsogon are likely to experience heavy to intense rainfall, with moderate to heavy rains expected in several other provinces. A high risk of life-threatening storm surge, with peak heights over 3 meters, is anticipated in the next 48 hours for coastal localities across multiple regions including Ilocos, Metro Manila, and Bicol.
In response to the impending severe weather conditions, Ce
bu Pacific has announced the cancellation of 44 domestic and international flights scheduled for Sunday, November 17. These cancellations include routes between Manila and various destinations such as Busuanga, Naga, Legazpi, and others. Additionally, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has canceled several domestic flights, affecting routes such as Manila-Laoag and Clark-Davao. Passengers affected by these cancellations are offered options for refund, credit storage, rebooking, or rerouting.
Pepito is anticipated to make landfall over Catanduanes either on Saturday night or early Sunday. There is also a possibility of the storm making landfall over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur or Albay during the same time frame, intensifying the urgency for preparedness in these regions.