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Southern Luzon, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas must all prepare for the possible landfall of Tropical Storm Man-yi or the potential Pepito during the weekend
MANILA, Philippines – The forecast track of Tropical Storm Man-yi or the potential Pepito further shifted downward as of Wednesday evening, November 13, which could put it near Metro Manila when it moves over land during the weekend. There is still high uncertainty, however, regarding the track.
As of 10 pm on Wednesday, Man-yi was still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), at 1,705 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.
The tropical storm is moving west southwest at a relatively fast 30 kilometers per hour (km/h).
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) again explained in its 11 pm advisory that a high pressure area over the south of Japan is influencing Man-yi’s direction, but the tropical storm could turn generally west while approaching the PAR eastern boundary.
Man-yi slightly intensified on Wednesday evening, with its maximum sustained winds increasing from 65 km/h to 75 km/h. Its gustiness is now up to 90 km/h from 80 km/h.
Man-yi is expected to strengthen further into a severe tropical storm on Thursday afternoon or evening, November 14, and into a typhoon on Thursday evening or early Friday morning, November 15.
It could join Typhoon Ofel (Usagi) inside PAR by Thursday evening. Once inside, it will be given the local name Pepito.
But PAGASA is not ruling out rapid intensification. Man-yi could even reach super typhoon category before hitting land.
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PAGASA said the potential Pepito might make landfall over the eastern coast of Southern Luzon — possibly at peak intensity — on Saturday, November 16, or Sunday, November 17.
But the weather bureau added: “It must be emphasized that the track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone, especially on the fourth and fifth day of the forecast track. Therefore, the landfall point may also shift within the range of the forecast confidence cone from the eastern coast of Central Luzon to the eastern coast of Eastern Visayas.”
That means Southern Luzon, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas must all prepare for the tropical storm’s possible landfall.
PAGASA warned the public that most areas in Luzon — and even some in the Visayas — are at risk of rain, winds, and possible storm surges which could be triggered by Man-yi.
From Friday evening to Saturday evening, heavy to intense rain from the tropical cyclone may hit Northern Samar, while moderate to heavy rain could be seen in Eastern Samar, Samar, and Catanduanes. More detailed rainfall outlooks are expected in the coming days.
Man-yi may also cause hazardous sea conditions in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines starting late Friday or on Saturday. – Rappler.com
