Tropical storm “Quinta” rapidly intensified into a typhoon on Sunday at 2 p.m., endangering the Albay-Camarines Sur area.
Quinta is forecast to continue moving generally westward until its landfall over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur and northeastern coast of Albay between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday.
It is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday afternoon.
As of 4 p.m., the eye of the typhoon was located at 70 kilometer east northeast of Legazpi City, Albay.
It was moving westward at 25 km/h packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 160 km/h.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised over Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Burias and Ticao Islands.
At least 1,864 people or 551 families in Bicol have been evacuated ahead of the forecast landfall of Tropical Storm Quinta in the region, the Office of Civil Defense Region V said in a report update at Sunday noon.
In an earlier interview on Dobol B sa News TV, OCD-5 Public Information Officer Gremil Naz said the evacuees are from Guinobatan, Albay and Canaman, Camarines Sur.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), meanwhile, warned of potential lahar and sediment-laden streamflows on all river channels draining the slopes of Mayon Volcano due to tropical depression Quinta.
“Prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate post-eruption lahar on major channels draining the Mayon Volcano edifice by incorporating loose material from thick pyroclastic density current deposits and remnant ashfall,” Phivolcs said.
“Due to this development, DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends increased vigilance and readiness of communities in pre-determined zones of lahar hazards in Mayon Volcano,” PHIVOLCS said in an advisory.
The agency said vigilance should be maintained at the Miisi, Binaaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawg, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag, and Basuc channels.
“Communities and local government units beside these drainages are advised to be additionally vigilant and to move residents to high ground should heavy rain occur," Phivolcs said.