MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino warned the nation to prepare for six to 12 hours of rain that Typhoon Lando would bring, as the state weather bureau placed several areas in Northern and Central Luzon, including Metro Manila, under public storm warning signals.
Lando is expected to slam into the Isabela-Aurora area this morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.
Heavy to occasionally intense rains are forecast over Northern and Central Luzon beginning today.
“Lando’s movement is restricted by Typhoon Champi behind it. There are also high-pressure areas above Lando. Because of this, Lando will be making its way through our country at a slower pace. PAGASA estimates that the heavy rainfall will last for six to 12 hours. Furthermore, due to the accelerated evaporation caused by El Niño, there will be an increased intake of moisture, which will consequently increase the rainfall volume,” Aquino said, noting “Oplan Listo” or Plan Alert had been put up to address the effects of the typhoon.
“Forecasts show that Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, and CAR will feel the effects of Lando. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) data estimates that 1.5 million families in these regions will be needing assistance,” he added.
The President called on all Filipinos to avoid panicking and prepare as they should by monitoring the news and understanding the warnings issued by national and local governments, from storm signals, rainfall warnings and advisories on storm surges and necessary evacuations.
PAGASA warned municipalities surrounding the Magat dam in Isabela against possible flooding as the watershed was only 10 millimeters away from its spilling level.
PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said the Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque dams in Northern Luzon are expected to release water starting last night.
PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said from Isabela, Lando would cross Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, Abra and Ilocos Norte.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, signal No. 2 was hoisted over Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija and Northern Quezon, including Polillo Island. Heavy rains and strong winds (61 to 120 kilometers per hour) are expected over these provinces in at least 24 hours.
PAGASA also warned coastal residents in eastern section of Luzon against possible storm surges of up to 2.3 meters high.
Signal No. 1 was raised over Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Metro Manila.
Winds of 30 to 60 kph are expected to affect these areas in at least 36 hours.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Lando was spotted at 510 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, packing winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. It was forecast to move west at 15 kph.
PAGASA marine meteorological services section chief Rene Paciente said Lando was unlikely to reach the super typhoon category, though current forecast indicated that it may carry winds of 185 kph.
PAGASA categorizes as super typhoons those that reach maximum sustained winds of at least 220 kph.
The rains to be brought by Lando would be heavy but not as much as that dumped by Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009, Paciente said.
Paciente explained that when Ondoy hit Metro Manila and nearby areas in September 2009 the prevailing wind was the southwest monsoon, which carries with it heavy moisture.
The northeast monsoon, now the prevailing wind in the country, brings less rainfall.
Lando is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility and move to Taiwan on Tuesday morning.
The typhoon was projected to be at 135 km east of Baler this afternoon and 155 km south southeast of Laoag City or in the vicinity of Hingyon, Ifugao tomorrow afternoon.
By Monday afternoon, it would be at 35 km east southeast of Laoag City or in the vicinity of Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.
By Tuesday afternoon, Lando would be at 60 km west of Calayan, Cagayan; and at 65 km west of Itbayat, Batanes by Wednesday afternoon.
Government agencies prepared for Lando
Bracing for the landfall of Typhoon Lando in Northern Luzon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has alerted all its forces in Northern Luzon for possible disaster operations, while disaster officials have started enforcing a liquor ban and no sail policy in Isabela and Aurora.
The AFP’s Northern Luzon Command has pre-positioned its Disaster Response Team Unit from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force in Cagayan Valley, Ilocos region and Central Luzon.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has also raised alert level to red, meaning all its personnel are required to be at their posts.
“The World Food Program and other organizations also stand as partners in our efforts. The DSWD has prepositioned food packs to more quickly bring relief to affected communities and evacuation centers; they are supported by the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) as they stockpile relief goods,” Aquino said.
“The DPWH has likewise readied heavy equipment to more immediately clear roads that will be, or may be impeded by debris. The Department of Energy and National Electrification Administration are prepared to respond to bring power back to affected areas. The Department of Health has prepared first aid equipment and the necessary medicines. The Department of Trade and Industry is monitoring market prices to ensure that profiteering does not take place,” he added.
The President also said the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection were actively implementing Oplan Listo.
“The airplanes, boats and other assets of our Armed Forces and Coast Guard are also on standby. Should you happen to see an increased presence of policemen and soldiers in your communities, please do not worry; I assure you that they are there to help our first responders,” Aquino said.
“It is clear: your government is here, in order to ensure that we will meet our goal of zero casualties. But I must emphasize: each local government unit, community, and Filipino that will be affected has the duty to cooperate in the collective action we are taking to overcome the challenges ahead,” the President added.
Flights canceled
As of yesterday, 14 domestic flights were canceled because of the typhoon. – With Celso Amo, Edu Punay, Jaime Laude