Storm surge warning up as Butchoy slows down

MANILA, Philippines - Weather forecasters yesterday raised storm surge warning in the coastal areas in Batanes as Typhoon Butchoy (international name Nepartak) moved slowly toward Taiwan.

Batanes was placed under storm surge signal No. 2, while signal No. 1 was raised over the Babuyan group of islands, according to a 5 p.m. weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The weather bureau said areas under signal No. 2 could experience sea waves as high as 4.1 to 14 meters, as it warned residents in coastal areas of a possible storm surge.

“Batanes will experience stormy weather while rains with gusty winds are expected over the Babuyan group of islands,” it said.

“Monsoon rains will be experienced over the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro and the island of Panay while occasional rains will prevail over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas, and Zamboanga peninsula,” PAGASA said. 

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Butchoy was estimated to be at 160 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

Although Butchoy has been classified as a super typhoon under international standards, PAGASA regards it as a typhoon as it has not breached the 221 kph threshold.

“Butchoy continues to slow down as it moves closer to Taiwan,” PAGASA said.

Butchoy was forecast to move west-northwest at 17 kph toward Taiwan.

This morning, it is forecast to be at 335 kilometers north-northwest of Itbayat and will leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow.

While the typhoon was not expected to make landfall in the Philippines, state weather forecasters said Butchoy would intensify the southwest monsoon, which would bring rains in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.

Landslides

Heavy rains from Butchoy can trigger landslides in certain areas, according to Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) executive director Alfredo Mahar Lagmay.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had issued a list of areas that should consider preemptive evacuation.

“Butchoy will strengthen the southwest monsoon as it passes through the Pacific Ocean. Heavy rains are expected over Mindoro, Antique, Zambales and parts of Benguet, which may trigger landslides,” Lagmay said in yesterday’s press conference at the National Academy of Science and Technology in Quezon City.

Lagmay said that it would be up to concerned local government units (LGUs) to decide whether to undertake preemptive evacuation.

“The preemptive evacuation is not a call of the national government, but of the LGU. The warning has been issued by NDRRMC,” Lagmay said. – With Rainier Allan Ronda