More areas under Signal No. 4; “Ompong” to make landfall in Cagayan

This satellite image shows “Ompong” as of 10:30 p.m./PAGASA/

(Eagle News) — More areas are now under Signal No. 4 as “Ompong” moves closer to the Cagayan province on Friday night, Sept. 14.

In its 11 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 10 p.m., the eye of the typhoon was located  190 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

“Ompong” is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kilometers per hour, as it moves west northwest at 30 kilometers per hour.

It is expected to make landfall in Cagayan between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 15.

Signal No. 4 is up over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, northern Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga and the Babuyan Group of Islands.

According to PAGASA, storm surges of up to 6 meters in height are possible in Cagayan early morning tomorrow and in Ilocos Norte, while storm surges reaching 2 meters are possible in Isabela and Ilocos Sur.

Batanes, southern Isabela, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Northern Aurora are under Signal No. 3, while Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, southern Aurora, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Northern Quezon including Polillo Island are under Signal No. 2.

Signal No. 1 is up over Bataan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, rest of Quezon, Lubang Island ,Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay and Burias Island.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon enhanced by the typhoon will bring gusty winds with occasional moderate to heavy rains over Visayas, and scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

“Residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and to continue monitoring for updates,” PAGASA said.

“Fisherfolk and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of areas with TCWS and the seaboards of Visayas and of Mindanao,” PAGASA added.