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Sunday, May 18, 2008
Gov't warns v. landslides, flashfloods in C. Luzon
PAMPANGA -- The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Saturday warned residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes against flooding and landslides as tropical storm Cosme hits Central Luzon.
Tropical Storm Cosme (international codename, Halong) made landfall over Western Pangasinan late Saturday afternoon.
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The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Cosme will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional rains over the rest of Southern Luzon and Western Visayas.
According to Pagasa’s 11 p.m. bulletin Saturday, Cosme has crossed Pangasinan and is now over Benguet.
Reports gathered by Sun.Star showed that most parts of Pangasinan province are in darkness and in waist-high floods after Cosme made landfall in the province.
The NDCC advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take all necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Residents along the coastal areas of Western Luzon and Western Visayas are also alerted against big waves generated by this tropical cyclone.
The weather bureau forecasted Cosme to be out of the Philippines by Tuesday and it moves towards east-northeast of Okinawa, Japan.
However, the weather bureau reported that aside from Cosme a new active low-pressure area was spotted 140 kilometers east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.
The weather disturbances would further enhance the southwest monsoon, which will trigger the onset of the rainy season, Pag-asa reported.
The weather bureau on its 11 p.m. bulletin on Saturday hoisted Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 3 over Zambales, Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Ifugao, Mt. Province,
Kalinga, Isabela, Southern Cagayan, and Abra
Signal 2 is raised over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Rest of Cagayan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Aurora.
Signal 1 is hoisted over Bataan, Bulacan and Batanes.
But even before Cosme could strengthen into a typhoon, its gusty winds and heavy rains caused a motorized banca to capsize off the waters of Romblon on Wednesday.
Eleven passengers of a motorized banca that capsized off the waters of Romblon were rescued, said the Philippine Coast Guard (PSG).
Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said F/B Jhon Khazzers 77 owned and operated by Alpha Certain Russel Fajarito capsized at the vicinity of Barangay Ilijan, Corcuerra after encountering huge waves and strong winds at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The motorized banca carrying 15 passengers on board departed Lunos, Romblon bound for Corcuerra. It capsized while sailing en route to its destination.
All passengers of the sunken banca were safe and sent back to Romblon, reports said Friday. (PNA/VR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (May 18, 2008 issue)
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