Storm signal number 4 Yolanda raised in Visayas is expected to arrive in the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday morning (November 7). Javier said, that typhoon will hit Samar, Leyte adding that the cyclone will also affect Bicol, Bohol as well as Metro Manila.
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PAGASA forecaster Paciente said that Yolanda is expected to strengthen into a full blown typhoon before it makes landfall. “Bagama’t puwede pang magbago ang direksyon nito, hindi na ito hihina pa, kundi mas lalakas pa nga. Hangin at ulan ang dala ng bagyo,” he said.
Paciente also warned Yolanda may even develop into a typhoon comparable to Pablo, which devastated Mindanao in December last year. Pablo’s maximum sustained winds reached at least 185 kph.
“Para itong si Pablo, typhoon intensity na pagpasok pa lang sa PAR so malakas na. Until mag-landfall, umabot ng 185 kph. Umabot ng signal number 4 kay Pablo,” he said.
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“Maraming moisture at hangin but we don’t know kung kasingdami ng dalang ulan ni Pablo. Pagpasok sa PAR [Philippine Area of Responsibility] tsaka natin malalaman kung gaano ito tulad ni Pablo,” he added.
People in the Bicol region and Bohol are already preparing for the typhoon’s arrival. Waterways in Legazpi City are being cleared, while rescue equipment and medical kits are ready for use.
The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol was also placed on blue alert, while local officials met Tuesday to discuss the typhoon’s threat. Preemptive evacuation will be undertaken in flood-prone areas, as well as communities near the Mayon volcano, OCD regional director Raffy Alejandro said.
In Bohol, small boats have been barred from crossing the Abatan river because of the strong current, while roads p(–foul word(s) removed–)ing mountain villages have been closed. Coast Guard and Navy rescue boats have also been prepared to respond if needed.