Super typhoon “Betty” (International code name “Mawar” is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to northern Luzon within three days next week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
The typhoon is also seen to enhance the habagat or southwest monsoon, the weather bureau said in an advisory.
“Betty” entered the Philippine area of responsibility before dawn on Saturday and was spotted 1,170 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour and 240-kph gusts.
PAGASA has advised residents in affected areas to take the necessary precautions, such as securing their homes and property and staying indoors during the typhoon. “Betty” is expected to make landfall in northern Luzon today or Tuesday.
“Monday to Wednesday is considered one of the most crucial days because if they notice, “Betty” is closest to our land, particularly here in Batanes and Babuyan Islands, only about 250-300 kilometers away from its eyes,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a briefing.
“Strong winds and heavy rains may affect a significant portion of the Cagayan Valley, the northern area of Aurora, as well as the northern and eastern parts of the Cordillera Region, including Ilocos Norte, and even Ilocos Sur,” Estareja added.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela provinces as super typhoon “Betty” maintained its strength, PAGASA said.
TCWS No. 1 has been raised over the following areas: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Santa Teresita, Buguey, including Babuyan and Camiguin Islands in Cagayan; and Maconacon, Divilacan, Dinapigue, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, San Pablo and Cabagan in Isabela.
The affected areas may experience winds of 39 kph to 61 kph for at least 36 hours, or intermittent rains within 36 hours. The eastern seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas will experience today moderate to rough seas, which may become rough to very rough.
Operators of small vessels have been advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. If possible, they should avoid navigating in these conditions, PAGASA said.
The bureau forecast monsoon rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon over the western section of MIMAROPA, the Visayas and Mindanao on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines flights PR 437/438 between Manila and Nagoya; and CebGo flights 6881/6882 Manila-Surigao-Manila, were canceled on Saturday due to the weather.
In a separate briefing, PAGASA officer-in-charge Esperanza Cayanan said on Saturday that the closest estimated position of the typhoon is expected to be on Monday, particularly near the extreme northern areas such as Basco in Batanes, and the surrounding islands.
“While it is still over the ocean, the typhoon is maintaining its super typhoon intensity, and we see that it is approaching Northern Luzon. However, we do not expect it to make landfall,” Cayanan said.
When asked about the comparison between super typhoon “Betty” and previous devastating typhoons, Cayanan said this incoming typhoon is indeed powerful, but experts cannot directly compare it to “Yolanda” or other super typhoons since it will not make landfall yet.
She added that the Philippines may not experience the typhoon’s full strength on land.” Air transportation is expected to face minimal disruptions, except for thunderstorms and lightning occurrences, which may cause temporary flight delays,” she added.
Meanwhile, a P2.1-billion fund had been readied for the onslaught of “Betty,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development said on Saturday. Another P525 million had been allocated as a “quick response fund.”