New storm to enter RP next week

MANILA -- Even as the country reels from the destruction brought by Super Typhoon Juan (international codename: Megi), the state weather bureau said a new tropical cyclone might hit the Philippines next week.

Graciano Yumul, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the low pressure area is spotted 1,500 kilometers away from the country’s area of responsibility.

“The new LPA could develop into a storm probably next week and will be named ‘Katring.’ The LPA is somewhat following the track of typhoon ‘Juan’, which means it might hit Northern Luzon as well,” he told Sun.Star.

Meantime, “Juan” remained in Philippine waters due to a ridge of high pressure that stalled its movement.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said “Juan” is still packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

Although it would remain stationary in the next 12 hours, the typhoon is expected to move north northeast at seven kph. It was last spotted at 350 kilometers west Laoag City.

Storm signals remain up in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet and Zambales. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)