Hundreds of thousands of residents from coastal villages and flood-prone areas have been evacuated to safer locations as the country prepares for Super Typhoon “Pepito” (international name: Man-yi).
Pepito, a powerful storm with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching 240 kph, made landfall in Catanduanes, located in the Bicol region, late Saturday night.
According to an 8:00 p.m. update from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the typhoon continues to pose a “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation” for the northeastern Bicol region. It is expected to move toward the South China Sea by Sunday night or Monday morning.
“There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters in the 48 hours over low-lying or exposed coastal localities” in Metro Manila, central Luzon, and other areas, the state weather bureau warned.
Pepito is approaching regions that have already been battered by the severe weather brought on by five overlapping typhoons since late October. The devastating storms have claimed over 160 lives due to flooding and landslides, with nearly 30 people still missing. Millions have been displaced, and widespread damage to crops and infrastructure has led many provinces to declare a state of calamity.
Pepito is the 16th tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines this year, with an average of 20 typhoons hitting the country annually, causing flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction.
Wind signals and warnings
The following areas are under various levels of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS):
TCWS No. 5: Catanduanes and northeastern portions of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Presentacion).
TCWS No. 4: Camarines Norte, northern and southeastern portions of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, San Jose, Tigaon, Sagñay, Calabanga), northeastern portions of Albay (Tabaco City, Tiwi, Malinao, Malilipot, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu).
TCWS No. 3: Polillo Islands, northern and eastern parts of mainland Quezon, the remainder of Camarines Sur and Albay, northern Sorsogon, eastern and central Northern Samar, and parts of Eastern Samar.
TCWS No. 2: Southern Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, Marinduque, Sorsogon, Burias Island, Ticao Island, and parts of Samar and Northern Samar.
TCWS No. 1: Mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte and Sur, La Union, parts of Pangasinan and Zambales, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Masbate, parts of Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, and central and northern Cebu.
A gale warning has also been issued for the eastern and southern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of the Visayas, making sea travel hazardous for all types of vessels.
Flights canceled
Due to the anticipated impact of Pepito, Cebu Pacific has canceled 36 domestic and international flights scheduled for Sunday, November 17. Affected flights include routes to and from Manila, Busuanga, Naga, Legazpi, Cebu, Siargao, Surigao, and others.
- DG 6047/6048: Manila – Busuanga – Manila
- DG 6051/6052: Manila – Busuanga – Manila
- DG 6113/6114: Manila – Naga – Manila
- DG 6117/6118: Manila – Naga – Manila
- DG 6193/6194: Manila – Legazpi – Manila
- DG 6195/6196: Manila – Legazpi – Manila
- DG 6243/6244: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
- DG 6247/6248: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
- DG 6505/6506: Manila – Cebu – Manila
- DG 6839/6840: Manila – Siargao – Manila
- DG 6881/6882: Manila – Surigao – Manila
- 5J 321/322: Manila – Legazpi – Manila
- 5J 537/538: Clark – Singapore – Clark
- 5J 608/609: Cebu – Clark – Cebu
- 5J 821/822: Manila – Virac – Manila
- 5J 913/914: Clark – Caticlan – Clark
- 5J 915/916: Clark – Caticlan – Clark
- 5J 1017/1018: Clark – Puerto Princesa – Clark
Similarly, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has also announced cancellations of 18 flights including flights from Clark to Davao, Cebu, Narita, and several domestic routes including those to Basco, Laoag, and Tuguegarao.
- 5J 1085/1086: Clark – Davao – Clark
- 5J 1135/1136: Clark – Iloilo – Clark
- 5J 4301/4302: Clark – Cebu – Clark
- 5J 5068/5069: Clark – Narita – Clark
- PR2196/2197 Manila-Laoag-Manila
- PR2198/2199 Manila-Laoag-Manila
- PR2014/2015 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila
- PR2932/2933 Manila-Basco-Manila
- PR2688/2689 Clark-Basco-Clark
Passengers affected by these cancellations may choose to rebook, reroute, or request refunds or travel credits.
As the storm continues to intensify, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property. (Xinhua, PNA)
