SUPER TYPHOON Mawar may downgrade into typhoon category as it approaches Batanes but could still bring strong winds, an official of the weather bureau said Friday.
"It may weaken into a typhoon before it goes near Batanes, but a typhoon is still strong. Don't think that it's weak as this could trigger strong winds that could hit trees and roofs," Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Deputy Administrator Esperana Cayanan said in a press conference.
Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 3 could be hoisted over Batanes, she added.
The latest update from the weather bureau said Mawar was last tracked 1,705 km. east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kph, and gusts of up to 20 kph.
PAGASA forecast Mawar to reach its peak intensity of 220 kph maximum sustained winds within 24 hours.
The super typhoon is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either Friday night or early Saturday and will be named "Betty".
It is forecast to be 250 km of Batanes and Babuyan Islands by next week.
PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren said the hoisting of TCWS may begin Saturday in anticipation of severe winds.
Strong to storm-force conditions may be experienced over extreme Northern Luzon, while strong to gale-force conditions are possible in the northern and eastern portions of the mainland of Northern Luzon.
Clauren said Mawar may enhance the southwest monsoon that could trigger rains over the western portion of Central and Southern Luzon and the Visayas beginning Sunday or Monday.
She urged the public to coordinate precautionary measures with the local government because the moderate to heavy rains may trigger flash floods or landslides.
Esperana, on the other hand, said rains caused by localized thunderstorms may still be experienced.
"We've been having thunderstorms for the past days. There's a high probability that thunderstorms will continue, especially in the afternoon," she said.
All hands on deck
Early preparations will play a big part in lessening, if not avoiding, casualties and major damage, according to two senators on Friday.
In a news release on Friday, Senator Christopher Go emphasized the importance of being "one step ahead" in disaster preparedness, highlighting the need for a dedicated agency to oversee disaster response and mitigation efforts.
“Hindi natin maiiwasan ang pagdating ng lindol o bagyo, pero mas mabuti na palagi tayong handa para maiwasan natin ang mas malalaking pinsala o pagkawala ng buhay na maidudulot ng mga ito (We cannot avoid earthquakes and typhoons, but it is better if we are always prepared so we can resist massive damages or casualties that these may bring),” Go said.
To avoid the spread of fake news, he urged the public to rely on accurate information from trusted sources and asked local government units to keep evacuation centers as clean and as comfortable as possible.
Go has been batting for the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience through Senate Bill No. 188.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., on the other hand, said in another statement that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can mitigate possible harmful effects.
He said the DPWH must secure the integrity of public structures while the DSWD must prepare relief packs for evacuees.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has confirmed food packs for around 30,000 to 50,000 families in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions are ready for distribution.
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management teams of the DPWH have also been reactivated by Secretary Manuel Bonoan for possible road closures and obstructions, removal of fallen or uprooted trees, declogging drainage systems, fixing waterways, and response to accidents. ( Ma. Cristina Arayata and Wilnard Bacelonia)
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