Typhoon “Rosita” maintained its threat over southern Isabela and northern Aurora while moving closer Monday afternoon.
As of 5 pm Monday, tropical cyclone warning signal no. 3 remained in effect over Isabela, Quirino, Northern Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao.
Signal no. 2 was hoisted in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Northern Quezon, including Polillo Island, southern Aurora, Zambales, Pampanga and Bulacan.
Metro Manila was placed under signal no. 1, along with southern Quezon, Batanes and Babuyan group of Islands, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Cavite, and Camarines Norte.
At 4 pm Monday, the eye of the typhoon was located at 310 kilometers east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora.
“Rosita” was moving west at 15 kms per hour with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 185 km/h.
It is forecast to make landfall in southern Isabela-northern Aurora area today [Tuesday] between 5 am and 7 a.m., and to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow [Wednesday] evening.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and La Union must brace for storm surges of up to three meters over the coastal areas.
Residents in areas of signal nos. 3 and 2, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and mountainous areas must take appropriate actions against floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rains “directly” associated with Rosita. With PNA
Even travel by land is risky over these areas, the weather bureau said.
Two major local airlines have canceled a number of domestic flights scheduled today (Tuesday) and on Monday because of Typhoon Rosita.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines suspended six domestics flights scheduled Oct. 30. These are PAL flights PR 2196 Manila-Laoag, PR 2197 Laoag – Manila, PR 2688 Clark-Basco, PR 2689 Basco-Clark, PR 2612 Clark-Cauayan and PR 2613 Cauayan – Clark.
Cebu Pacific Air and its sister airline CebGo, on the other hand, are also cancelling eight flights in Manila to and from Tuguegarao, Cauayan and Basco scheduled today while the Oct. 29 flights scheduled, also to and from Tuguegarao and Basco, were also cancelled.
Authorities have asked outdoor advertisers to roll down billboards to prevent accidents during the storm.
Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman Danilo Lim said tarpaulins and ad materials on major thoroughfares should be rolled down as the typhoon is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and strong to very strong winds in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon. With PNA