(Eagle News)–Severe Tropical Storm “Pepito” has maintained its strength even as it slowed down.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said while no tropical cyclone signal was in effect,light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, northern Aurora, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Sulu Archipelago, with “Pepito” estimated based 305 kilometers west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
“Flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA said.
High winds to gale-force winds with occasional gusts due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Pepito” will also continue to affect the Northern and Central Luzon, especially the western portions of these areas.
Such conditions, the weather bureau said, are more likely to be experienced in coastal and mountainous areas.
A gale warning remains in effect over the entire seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, the eastern seaboard of northern Quezon including Polillo Islands, and the western seaboards of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Island), and Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands) due to rough to very rough seas.
This means sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for small seacraft.
Moderate to rough seas, on the other hand, will prevail over the eastern seaboards of southern Quezon and Bicol Region.
Those with small seacraft have been advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions.
PAGASA said “Pepito” is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today.
It is expected to turn more westward and accelerate beginning Friday and will head towards the central portion of Vietnam.
It is forecast to reach its peak intensity within 48 hours and may develop into a typhoon.
