‘Pepito’ makes second landfall in Aurora

Metro Manila, Philippines — Super Typhoon Pepito made its second landfall in the Luzon landmass, state meteorologists said on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Pepito hit the vicinity of Dipaculao, Aurora at 3:20 p.m.

Based on PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin, Wind Signal 5 is still raised over the central portion of Aurora, the southern portion of Quirino, and the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya. It warned of extreme threat to life and property as wind speeds may reach more than 185 kilometers per hour (kph).

Meanwhile, other Wind Signals are up in the following areas:

Signal 4: rest of Aurora, rest of Nueva Vizcaya, rest of Quirino, southern portion of Ifugao, Benguet, southern portion of Ilocos Sur, La Union, eastern portion of Pangasinan, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija.

Signal 3: southern portion of Isabela, rest of Ifugao, Mountain Province, southern portion of Kalinga, southern portion of Abra, rest of Ilocos Sur, rest of Pangasinan, northern and eastern portions of Tarlac, rest of Nueva Ecija, northern portion of Bulacan, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.

Signal 2: rest of Isabela, southwestern portion of mainland Cagayan, rest of Kalinga, southern portion of Apayao, rest of Abra, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, rest of Tarlac, northern portion of Bataan, Pampanga, rest of Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, northeastern portion of Laguna, and the central portion of Quezon.

Signal 1: rest of mainland Cagayan, rest of Apayao, rest of Bataan, Cavite, rest of Laguna, Batangas, rest of Quezon, northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, and the northern portion of Camarines Sur.

Rains, storm surge

More than 200 millimeters of rain, which is categorized as intense to torrential, can be expected over Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and Pangasinan.

Heavy to intense rains, 100 to 200 millimeters, may pour over Quezon, Isabela, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Benguet, Abra, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Zambales, Bulacan, and Rizal.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Sur, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Laguna can expect moderate to heavy rains or 50 to 100 millimeters.

Residents in the low-lying or exposed localities in Ilocos Region, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Quezon should be on alert for storm surges that may reach more than three meters.

PAGASA hoisted a gale warning over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and the western seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon.

At 4 p.m., Pepito was spotted in the vicinity of Nagtipunan, Quirino with 185-kph of winds and 305-kph of gustiness.

Pepito will cross Central Luzon and Northern Luzon and will leave the landmass Sunday night or Monday morning.

It is forecast to exit the country’s monitoring space on Monday morning or noon.