Salome pounds Bicol
Tropical Depression Salome struck the Bicol region yesterday as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned residents in areas under typhoon signal No. 1 and the eastern section of Central Luzon against possible flash floods and landslides.
Salome continues to move west-northwest, approaching the southern Quezon-Marinduque area. At 4 p.m. yesterday, its center was estimated at 65 kilometers southwest of Pili, Camarines Sur.
PAGASA estimated that rainfall amount will be moderate to heavy within the 250-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression. With maximum winds of
up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 90 kph, it is forecast to move west-northwest at 25 kph.
Metro Manila, Rizal, Bataan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Romblon, Marinduque and Quezon, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro in Luzon, have been placed under typhoon signal No. 1.
PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz said sea travel is risky in these areas due to moderate to rough seas.
She added that Salome is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow morning.
Classes in Albay suspended
In Legazpi City, Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara ordered the suspension of classes in all levels yesterday morning.
Bichara said pupils and students in the hinterlands should be kept away from swollen rivers and spillways.
PAGASA spotted Salome at 3 a.m. yesterday at 85 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar while the intertropical convergence zone was affecting Bicol.
NDRRMC suspends sea voyage
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) suspended yesterday sea trips from the Port of Batangas to the island provinces in Southern Tagalog and those bound for Western Visayas due to Salome.
In a severe weather bulletin, the NDRRMC also ordered all regional offices of the Office of Civil Defense to take necessary steps according to the agency’s predisaster operations in times of man-made and natural calamities.
“All sea trips from Batangas to Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (Mimaropa) are suspended due to the (typhoon signal) 1 over Batangas and other areas,” Romina Marasigan, NDRRMC spokesperson, said.
Also under signal 1 are Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Biliran in the Visayas.
The suspension of sea trips from Batangas has not only affected roll-on roll-off travel to Mimaropa, but also those bound for Panay in Western Visayas.