TROPICAL Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised in several areas in Luzon on Monday morning as Pepito, previously a typhoon, weakened into a severe tropical storm over the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its 11 a.m. bulletin, placed the following areas under TCWS No. 1:
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Western portion of Pangasinan: Burgos, Dasol, Sual, Mabini, Binmaley, San Fabian, Dagupan City, Lingayen, Labrador, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Infanta, Bugallon, Mangaldan
Western portion of Abra: Danglas, Bangued, Langiden, La Paz, Pidigan, San Quintin, San Isidro, Pilar, Peñarrubia, Villaviciosa, Lagayan
These areas can expect strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 km/h within the next 36 hours, potentially causing minimal to minor damage to life and property.
Pepito, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 135 km/h, was last spotted 270 km west of Batac, Ilocos Norte. It was moving west northwestward at 20 km/h, with strong to storm-force winds extending outwards up to 280 km from the center.
Coastal Waters and Sea Travel
A gale warning was hoisted over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon due to Pepito, with rough sea conditions (up to 4.5 meters) expected over the seaboard of Batanes. Sea travel is considered risky for all types and sizes of vessels in these areas.
The threat of storm surge inundation has ceased as Pepito moves away from the country.
Track and Intensity
Pepito is expected to continue moving west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea on Monday, exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) later today.
Outside the PAR region, the tropical cyclone will turn more westward or west southwestward on Tuesday under the influence of an incoming northeasterly wind surge.
Pepito will continue to weaken as it moves over the West Philippine Sea due to the unfavorable environment created by the northeasterly wind surge. It may become a remnant low on Wednesday.
Impact and Response
One person reportedly died in Daet, Camarines Norte due to Pepito, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) on Sunday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that a total of 1,145,942 individuals or 295,576 families in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been affected by tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel, and Pepito.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to unite and pray amid the recent series of tropical cyclones that have impacted the country.
