Tropical storm enters Phl today

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm Neoguri will be locally named Florita when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility this morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

At 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of the storm was at 1,360 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness up to 185 kph. It is forecast to move northwest at 25 kph.

PAGASA said the Bicol region, Mimaropa and the Visayas will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest to west will prevail over southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao while coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas.

Disaster alert

As the storm approaches, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Alexander Pama issued a disaster alert in a directive to all municipal, provincial and regional disaster field units.

He also appealed to the general public to be vigilant. “The general public and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils concerned are advised to be alert and to monitor the updates to be incorporated in the public weather forecast and weather bulletin,” he said.

4-meter wave

Philippine Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena has ordered PCG personnel to prevent fishing vessels from sailing when the waves are four meters high.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said Isorena issued the directive to all PCG districts and stations since Friday in preparation for the storm.

“Our field offices should also be observant of the gale warnings even if there is no storm, but if the height of the waves has reached four meters, they should no longer allow the small fishing boats to sail,” he said.

Balilo said Isorena also reminded his officers in the field to coordinate with the NDRRMC especially in areas with reported flooding.

Drowning victims

Meanwhile, in Negros Oriental, three siblings drowned when they were swept away by the strong current while crossing Manalongon River, which overflowed due to incessant rains.

The victims were identified as Sheila Mae Sabanal, 16; Juliet, 8; and Danny, 6, of Barangay Manalongon, Sta. Catalina town. – With Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude