Public warned vs landslides as Paeng approaches

MANILA, Philippines — Residents in areas recently ravaged by Typhoon Ompong have been advised to remain vigilant against landslides as the approaching Typhoon Paeng is expected to bring rains.

Although Paeng (international name Trami) was forecast to be weaker than Ompong (Mangkhut), it is still expected to bring light to moderate rains over Northern Luzon, which was hit by deadly landslides two weeks ago.

“Paeng is weaker than Ompong. But we’re not saying that we can be complacent,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) administrator Vicente Malano said at a press conference yesterday.

PAGASA assistant weather services chief Rene Paciente urged residents in the mountainous areas in Northern Luzon to avoid areas that are highly susceptible to landslide.

“The soil in the Cordilleras is already saturated. It is possible that even moderate rains or thunderstorms can cause landslides. People should vacate areas that are prone to landslides,” Paciente said.

Rescue and retrieval operations are ongoing in the landslide-hit village of Ucab in Itogon, Benguet.

Ompong, the strongest cyclone to hit the country this year, left at least 88 people dead and billions of pesos worth of damage to agriculture in Northern Luzon.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said scattered light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected over extreme Northern Luzon today ahead of Paeng’s expected passage over the area.

PAGASA also warned against big waves over the northern and eastern seabords of Luzon and eastern seaboard of the Visayas due to Paeng.

On Thursday, light to moderate to at times heavy rains are expected over the western section of Luzon including Metro Manila, and in Western Visayas due to the southwest monsoon, which will be enchanced by Paeng.

The typhoon, which normally gathers strength over the sea, is forecast to pass near Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands by Friday, bringing occasional heavy rains and strong winds.

PAGASA may raise tropical cyclone warning signals over extreme Northern Luzon by Thursday. – With Rainier Allan Ronda

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