Cyclone wind signals up as Bising intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 2 was raised in several areas yesterday as the trough of Typhoon Bising brought winds and rain over the southern parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar were under Signal No. 2.

Signal No. 1 was raised over portions of Bicol, Samar, Leyte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a higher signal level would be raised in the event of a shift in the typhoon’s track.

PAGASA said the rainbands of Bising would bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Eastern Visayas, Bicol and southern portion of Quezon.

Bising is expected to reach its peak intensity of 195 to 205 kilometers per hour today.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Bising was located 640 kms east of Guiian, Samar.

The typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

Bising continues to move generally northwest and is expected to be around 415 kms east of Juban, Sorsogon today.

PAGASA said a westward shift in the forecast track could result in more significant impact in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.

The agency is not ruling out the possibility of a landfall.

Bising will bring rough to very rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao regions. Travel for all types of seacraft will be risky.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said preparations for the typhoon are in full swing.

At least P182 million worth of family foodpacks are ready at the Department of Social Welfare and Development warehouses aside from P556 million in standby fund.

Stranded

A maritime report of the Philippine Coast Guard said more than 1,000 passengers were stranded in various ports in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and northeastern Mindanao as 39 vessels and 496 rolling cargoes were not allowed to sail.

In Bicol, Office of Civil Defense spokesman Gremil Alexis Naz said they requested two Air Force helicopters in case Bising changes its track and hit the region.

“We are taking note that Bising is still hovering at the open sea and changes could still happen,” Naz told The STAR.

As this developed, the Department of Agriculture advised farmers and fishermen in Bicol and Eastern Visayas to take precautionary measures.

“We advise our farmers... that may be affected by Typhoon Bising to harvest their crops whenever possible,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

“We also urge fishermen near the typhoon’s path to take precautionary measures and refrain from fishing as conditions may worsen,” Dar said. – Cet Dematera, Robertzon Ramirez, Catherine Talavera