'Chedeng' intensifies; 4 areas under Signal No. 1 (video inside)

source: gmanews

At least four areas in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as Tropical Storm Chedeng (Songda) intensified early Tuesday.

Science Department Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. also said Chedeng has accelerated, and may make landfall as early as Wednesday night.

"Bumilis siya sa 17 kph mula 15 kph (It accelerated to 17 kph from its previous speed of 15 kph)," Yumul said in an interview on dzRH radio.

He also warned of heavy rains from the enhanced monsoon due to Chedeng.

In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Chedeng was estimated at 540 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 4 a.m.

At the time, Chedeng was packing maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph, and was moving west northwest at 17 kph, PAGASA said.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are the following:

Catanduanes
Sorsogon
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said.

The weather bureau said that by Wednesday morning, Chedeng is expected to be 330 km east of Virac, Catanduanes. By Thursday morning, it is expected to be 210 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

On Friday morning, it is expected to be 70 km north of Aparri, Cagayan.

Threat to western seaboard

In the same radio interview, Yumul warned the public not to underestimate the power of the enhanced monsoon, which he said had devastated Western Visayas in 2008 and Metro Manila in 2009.

He said that while the eastern seaboard including Samar, Bicol and Cagayan are ready, areas in the western seaboard must also be ready for the enhanced monsoon’s rains.

"Pagpasok ni Chedeng at hinigop ang habagat naroon ang badya ng habagat ay tuluy-tuloy (Once ‘Chedeng’ comes in, it will enhance the monsoon and we will feel its effect)," he said.

Yumul recalled that in July 2008, Antique, Aklan and Iloilo were devastated by floods not because of Typhoon Frank but because of the enhanced monsoon.

In 2009, he said Metro Manila was flooded because of the enhanced monsoon brought by Ondoy.

Coast Guard reminder

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard barred seacraft weighing less than 1,000 tons from leaving port in areas under Signal No. 1.

Interviewed on radio dzBB, Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag appealed to passengers heading for the Bicol Region to delay their trips if possible due to bad weather conditions.

In areas not under storm signals but with strong winds and big waves, Liwag left the decision to captains and local Coast Guard authorities.

"Siguro mas maganda maghintay muna (It would be better to wait)," he said.



source: gmanews