Typhoon Jenny: Wind signals still up

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rainfall and strong winds due to Typhoon Jenny are expected to continue over parts of Batanes and Northern Luzon today even though the cyclone is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by tomorrow.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Jenny was monitored 325 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes yesterday.

The typhoon was carrying maximum sustained winds of 155 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was still up over Batanes yesterday.

Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, Apayao, northeastern portion of Abra as well as northern portion of Kalinga and Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA said the highest wind signal No. 3 may be raised as Jenny edges closer to the country.

Heavy rainfall of up to 200 millimeters is forecast over Batanes today. Babuyan islands and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte may see 50 to 100 mm of rainfall.

PAGASA said Jenny would continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring occasional rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas in the next three days.

Jenny is forecast to turn generally westward today and may make landfall over the southern portion of Taiwan between tonight and tomorrow morning.

It is expected to exit PAR tomorrow morning or afternoon.

Stormy weather will continue over Batanes while rains with gusty winds are forecast over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra and Ilocos Norte.

The trough of the typhoon will bring scattered rains over the rest of Cagayan Valley, the Cordilleras and Ilocos.

Occasional rains are forecast over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro and the northern portion of Palawan.

The southwest monsoon will bring scattered rains over Metro Manila, the rest of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the rest of Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

Isolated rains are forecast over the rest of the country due to the monsoon and localized thunderstorms.

Flights, classes suspended

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Basco Airport in Batanes suspended general aviation or non-commercial flights due to Jenny yesterday.

Despite the bad weather, PAL Express flight GAP 2932/GAP 2933 managed to land at around 7:20 a.m. yesterday with 45 passengers. It departed at about 9:03 a.m. with 38 passengers.

The airport management is coordinating with concerned agencies and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for updates on the typhoon.

Classes from preschool to high school in public and private schools in Cagayan and Batanes were suspended due to Jenny.

Michael Conag, information officer of the Office of Civil Defense-Cagayan Valley office, said the entire region is on red alert following an assessment by the Regional Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council.

Conag said Cagayan and Batanes are under Charlie protocol, which means they are at higher risk for the effects of the typhoon.

In Pangasinan, classes in public and private schools in seven towns were suspended.

Classes in all levels were suspended in Pozorrubio, San Manuel and San Jacinto.

The San Fabian and Mangaldan municipal governments suspended classes from pre-school to senior high school.

Classes from elementary to high school were suspended in Asingan while classes from pre-school to elementary were suspended in Manaoag. — Rudy Santos, Cesar Ramirez, Jun Elias, Ric Sapnu