THE northern portion of mainland Cagayan, southern portion of Babuyan Islands, and the eastern portion of Apayao were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 yesterday, ahead of a projected landfall of typhoon “Marce” in northern Luzon today or tomorrow.
Marce may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday evening.
Based on a bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 8 p.m., nine other areas were under Signal No. 2 — Batanes, rest of Babuyan Islands, rest of mainland Cagayan, northern portion of Isabela, rest of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.
Ten areas were under Signal No. 1. These are the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, northwestern portion of Pangasinan, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the northern portion of Aurora.
PAGASA said Marce, as of 7 p.m. yesterday, was some 260 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, slowly moving northwestward. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
“On the forecast track, Marce will make landfall and traverse Babuyan Islands and/or the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao (or pass very close to these areas) from tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon to Friday early morning,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA said Marce may slightly weaken due to possible interaction with the terrain of mainland Luzon during the landfall or close approach although it will remain a typhoon.
PAGASA also said heavy to intense rains are expected until today in Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte, and intense to torrential rains this afternoon until Friday afternoon.
Heavy to intense rains are expected in Batanes, Abra, and Ilocos Sur during the same period.
Ariel Nepomuceno, executive director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said Cagayan Valley, Ilocos region and the Cordillera Administrative Region are the three regions that might be “directly affected” by Marce.
Nepomuceno also said they are looking at over 900,000 individuals who need to be evacuated to keep them safe from flooding and landslides.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), on Tuesday said forced evacuation of people living in hazard areas has been ordered.
Nepomuceno and OCD Cagayan Valley director Leon Rafael could not immediately say how many people have been evacuated as of yesterday.
“We’re preparing for the worst-case scenario so we’re effecting forced evacuation. We’re ensuring there are enough food and hygiene kits and communication systems are ready,” said Nepomuceno.
Nepomuceno said over a thousand search and rescue teams and assets have been also prepositioned, ready to provide assistance to residents who will be affected by Marce.
Rafael, at a public briefing, said Cagayan was experiencing rains as of yesterday afternoon.
He said residents in low-lying areas of Cagayan, especially those near the Cagayan river, have been told to evacuate, warning them of possible flooding.
Rafael said residents in landslide-prone areas were also told to evacuate.
He said these are the same people who have evacuated during the onslaught of severe tropical storm “Kristine” and super typhoon “Leon” a few weeks ago.
ALERT
President Marcos Jr. said all government agencies should remain on high alert in anticipation of Marce which is threatening the areas hit by the recent weather disturbances.
He ordered the Department of Budget and Management to ensure the availability of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) after it was used up in previous typhoons. He said the QRF has been replenished and should be available to all local government units (LGUs) and agencies responding to calamities.
Marcos also ordered agencies to ensure 24-hour monitoring of water levels in waterways and reservoirs and to implement protocols even before the dams reach the spilling level.
He also directed all rescue units at all levels of government, including those that can reinforce rescue and relief operations, to already prepare their equipment and vehicles.
Marcos also expressed gratitude to all personnel, especially from the medical sector, who are also on standby and ready to provide aid.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said four domestic flights were cancelled in northern Luzon due to the effects of Marce on Wednesday.
CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said that as of 1 p.m., Basco, Tuguegarao, and Cauayan airports remained operational but were experiencing moderate to heavy rain and strong winds.
In Tuguegarao and Cauayan airports, all scheduled commercial flights were cancelled,
Passengers are advised to coordinate with their airlines for rebooking or assistance. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Osias Osorio
