PAGASA: Rosita to bring Ondoy-like rains

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau warned yesterday that Typhoon Rosita – the 18th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines this year – would bring rains as intense as that of Ondoy, which inundated Metro Manila and adjacent areas in 2009.

Rosita (international name Yutu) remained powerful as it continued to move toward Northern Luzon, in the areas devastated by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) last month.

Ompong, which made landfall over Baggao, Cagayan on Sept. 15, left at least 68 persons dead and 138 others injured in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon and the National Capital Region.

Predicted to move west at a speed of 20 kph, Rosita was forecast to make landfall over Isabela-Aurora area tomorrow morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It was projected to be over San Mariano, Isabela tomorrow, based on PAGASA’s latest forecast.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said areas under signal No. 1 might experience rains and gusty winds within 36 hours.

Due to Rosita’s huge diameter, Metro Manila may experience rains with gusty winds tomorrow. 

Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over the capital tonight.

Aurelio warned the volume of rain to be brought by Rosita would be like that of Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana), which inundated Metro Manila and nearby provinces in September 2009.

The amount of rainfall dumped by Ondoy in a span of six hours was the most in recorded history. Officials said the rainfall brought by Ondoy was equal to the average monthly rainfall in a given area.

Aurelio said moderate to heavy rains with strong to very strong winds would start affecting Northern and Central Luzon tonight, raising the possibility of flashfloods and landslides.

Rosita is also expected to trigger storm surges in the coastal areas of Isabela and Cagayan.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Rosita was spotted at 760 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 200 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 245 kph.

Rosita was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, All Saints’ Day.