By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Photo Credits to: PAGASA
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) alerted Typhoon Marce’s (International name: Yinxing) risk of storm surge in Northern Luzon’s low-lying coastal areas within the next 48 hours as it intensifies near Cagayan, raising the area to Signal No. 3 on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Christopher Perez stated the geographic scope of the storm surge warning, ranging from 2.1 to 3 meters, is likely in the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Isabela.
“As much as possible, coastal communities should avoid staying near the shore or evacuate to higher ground or designated evacuation centers. All maritime activities should be canceled for the next two to three days.” Perez stated.
In its 11 a.m. briefing, PAGASA located the eye of Typhoon Marce 315 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, or 305 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving westward at 10 km per hour (kph) carrying peak winds of 150 kph with gusts of up to 185 kph.
Areas on Alert
In Batanes, towns such as Basco, Ivana, Mahatao, Sabtang, and Uyugan may be affected. Cagayan might experience surges in Abulug, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calayan, Claveria, Gattaran, Lal-lo, Pamplona, Peñablanca, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Ana, Santa Praxedes, and Santa Teresita.
Ilocos Norte is on alert for areas including Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Burgos, Currimao, Laoag City, Pagudpud, Paoay, and Pasuquin. In Ilocos Sur, potential impacts are anticipated in Cabugao, Candon, Vigan, Magsingal, Narvacan, San Esteban, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sinait, and Tagudin.
In Isabela, areas of Dinapigue, Divilacan, Maconacon, and Palanan are also at risk.
PAGASA has issued tropical cyclone wind signals in the following areas of Northern Luzon. Signal No. 3, indicating storm-force winds of 89 to 117 kph, is in effect for Santa Ana in northeastern mainland Cagayan.
Signal No. 2, for gale-force winds of 62 to 88 kph, covers Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, and the northern portion of Apayao.
Signal No. 1, for strong winds of 39 to 61 kph, is in place for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern part of Benguet, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the northern part of Aurora.
Typhoon Marce is expected to move west-northwest over waters east of Cagayan on November 6 and then speed up westward, crossing the Babuyan Channel and northern West Philippine Sea from Nov. 7 to 9.
The typhoon is forecasted to reach its peak intensity on Nov. 6 and may slightly weaken due to interaction with mainland Luzon but will remain a typhoon while in the Philippine area of responsibility.