Typhoon Dodong: Storm signal No. 4 in 4 areas

MANILA, Philippines – Four provinces in the northern tip of Luzon were placed under public storm warning signal number 4 as Typhoon Dodong (international name Noul) moved faster and closer towards Cagayan Valley.  

State weather bureau PAGASA said Dodong was located at 140 kilometeres east southeast of Tuguegarao City  (17.3°N, 123.0°E) as of 10 am Sunday, May 10. 

Packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 220 km/h, the typhoon is forecast to move northwest at 20 km/h. The US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center has labeled Dodong a super typhoon. 

Dodong is expected to hit land in Santa Ana, Cagayan Sunday afternoon or early evening. 

Public storm warning signal number 4 was raised over: 

• Northeastern Cagayan
• Batanes
• Babuyan
• Calayan Group of Islands

The following areas were placed under public storm warning signal number 3:

• Rest of Cagayan
• Isabela

Public storm warning signal number 2 was hoisted over:

• Northern Aurora
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Apayao

The following provinces were placed under public storm warning signal number 2: 

• Rest of Aurora
• Abra
• Ilocos Sur
• Ilocos Norte
• Quirino 

Areas within the 150 kilometer diameter of the typhoon will experience heavy to intense rains. 

PAGASA warned fisherfolks from venturing out to sea as waves could reach more than 14 meters in open seas near areas under public storm warning signals number 3 and 4. 

In open seas near areas under storm warning signal 2, wave heights could reach between 4.1 meters to 14 meters while areas under storm warning signal number 1 could experience wave heights of between 1.25 meters to 4 meters. 

The government has suspended ferry services in affected areas and some domestic flights have also been cancelled. 

Dodong is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday morning, May 12. 

Tourists and travellers are advised to refrain from going to beaches along the section of Isabela and Cagayan. – Rappler.com