Large swath of Luzon, E. Visayas warned of strong winds, heavy rains from ‘Kammuri’

Typhoon “Kammuri” could grow stronger before its landfall over the Bicol Region this week, according to the weather bureau, which warned a large swath of Luzon and Eastern Visayas to brace for strong winds, heavy rains, and storm surges.

Kammuri was almost inside the

Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) around 10 a.m. Saturday and could enter the vicinity anytime within the day, said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysi

cal, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Raymond Ordinario.

PAGASA estimated the location of Kammuri at 1,220 kilometers (km) east of Southern Luzon before Saturday noon. It will be called by its local name Tisoy once inside the PAR.

Kammuri has slightly gained strength with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 185 kph on Saturday, from 140 kph maximum sustained winds and gusts of up to 170 kph last Friday.

It is moving west-southwestward at 15 kph, or generally toward the Bicol Region.

The strong surge of northeast monsoon or amihan could be preventing the cyclone from moving upward, Ordinario said.

Prepare for the worst

Ordinario advised the public to prepare in advance before the typhoon makes landfall over Bicol by Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

Kammuri is packing strong winds and heavy rains that could affect Metro Manila, Central, and Southern Luzon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas within the next few days.

As soon as the typhoon enters the PAR, Ordinario said tropical cyclone signal No. 1 may be raised over Northern and Eastern Samar. Some parts of Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas may already feel the initial impact of Kammuri as early as Sunday. The typhoon will be at 735 km east of Virac, Catanduanes at this time.

By Monday, Kammuri is expected at 310 km east of Virac, Catanduanes and may bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms, as well as gusty winds in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.

Based on its current track, the typhoon could make landfall over Catanduanes between Monday and Tuesday, Ordinario said.

Although it is less likely to reach the super typhoon status as of the moment, he advised the public to remain prepared as Kammuri continues to grow into a “very strong” and “large” cyclone before it hits land.

The period from Tuesday up to Wednesday is considered “crucial time,” as the devastating effects of Kammuri may be felt in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Bicol Region.

Ordinario said Bicol and some parts of Quezon and Aurora provinces should also prepare for possible storm surges that could reach up to 5 meters.

Rains and winds will likely prevail until Wednesday over Metro Manila, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Central Luzon even after Kammuri leaves the landmass of Luzon.

The typhoon could be already outside the PAR by Thursday. Ordinario said Bicol Region can expect improved weather by Thursday, while the western section of the Luzon will have better weather condition by Friday.

Classes, work suspended

As a contingency measure, the local governments in three provinces in Bicol have already suspended classes on December 2 and 3, in all levels, both public and private, including work.

In Albay, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chair, Governor Al Francis Bichara, issued an advisory suspending classes in all levels, both public and private, including government work on Dec. 2 and 3 due to the approaching typhoon.

Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief Dr. Cedric Daep told the Manila Bulletin that “assisted evacuation” will be implemented on Monday. He said APSEMO will be on its 24-hour operation starting on Sunday.

In Sorsogon, Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero also issued an advisory suspending classes in all levels, both public and private schools, in the entire province.

Sorsogon Provincial Information Officer Dong Mendoza said that kitchen utensils, water containers, soup bowls and gas burners were already prepositioned to be used in evacuation centers, including stranded passengers in Matnog port.

Upon Escudero’s order, feeding stations, one-kilometer apart, will be set up on the entire length of Matnog-Sisigon Road to serve stranded passengers, Mendoza said.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol director Claudio Yucot said Catanduanes also issued an advisory suspending classes in all levels, both public and private, on Dec. 2.

In Camarines Norte, the PDRRMC has already convened as part of its preparations for the typhoon since Thursday.

Another brewing cyclone

While Kammuri has yet to make landfall over the Philippines, PAGASA

has also monitored a new low pressure area (LPA) far east of Mindanao on Saturday morning.

Ordinario said the LPA remains too far from the PAR or about 3,000 km east of Mindanao.

Although it is still far, PAGASA is also closely monitoring this weather disturbance for possible intensification into a tropical cyclone. The weather bureau is also not discounting a possible entry into the PAR.

The next cyclone to enter PAR will be named “Ursula.” (With a report from Niño N. Luces)