Public warned of storm’s entry

CEBU, Philippines - The state weather bureau has advised the public to brace for storm Soudelor that could intensify into a “super typhoon” as it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility later today.

 It will be given the name "Hanna" when it enters the PAR.

 Alfredo “Al” Quiblat Jr., chief meteorological officer of PAGASA Mactan, told The FREEMAN that Soudelor is “expected to intensify into a super typhoon in the next 24 hours (Wednesday morning or evening).”

 The eye of Soudelor was seen hovering over the Pacific Ocean outside PAR at 1,995 km east of Luzon. It has maximum sustained winds of 210 kilometer per hour near the center and gustiness of up 245 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 20 kph, according to the PAGASA website.

Quiblat said the typhoon is not expected to make landfall in the country but it may enhance the Southwest Monsoon, bringing stronger rains to Mindanao and Visayas starting today.

“Bisan dili expected nga mo-landfall sa nasod, magbantay ta kay mokusog ang habagat nga magdala moderate to strong rains and winds until Friday over Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

He said Central Visayas will experience partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The Office of the Civil Defense, on the other hand, has ordered the local disaster risk reduction and management councils to take precautionary measures against flashfloods and landslides.

At the Capitol, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office advised its local counterparts to be in alert status.

Julius Regner, PDRRMO information officer, noted that Hanna will bring heavy rains that may trigger landslides and flashfloods.

He reminded local disaster offices to constantly monitor those areas identified as landslide-prone.

“Kami pod diri sa PDRRMO, nagsige pa mi’g panawag sa local offices (PDRRMO is keeping in touch with the local disaster offices),” he told reporters.

He said people should not be complacent, pointing out the experience when tropical storm Seniang hovered over parts of southern Cebu last year.

Despite its lower category compared to that of Hanna, Seniang damaged infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, and water system in some areas in south, making water supply scarce. It also brought flood in many areas, causing some bridges to collapse and rendered impassable. —/JMO (FREEMAN)