Nona intensifies; Signal number 1 in 13 areas

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Severe Tropical Storm Nona (international name Melor) continues to gain strength as it heads toward the Samar-Bicol area on Sunday afternoon, December 13.

State weather bureau PAGASA said in its 11 am weather bulletin that, as of 10 am Sunday, Nona was located 565 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar. 

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300 km diameter of the severe tropical storm. 

Public Storm Signal No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas: 

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Masbate
• Burias and Ticao Islands 
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Dinagat province

On alert

In his interview with the government-run DZRB,  Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had conducted pre-disaster risk assessment to ensure that concerned government agencies were prepared for the severe tropical storm’s landfall.

Nona could still strengthen into a full-fledged typhoon by Monday afternoon, December 14, when it is expected to strike the central island of Samar.

“We should not underestimate the dangers posed by this storm,” NDRRMC chief Undersecretary Alexander Pama told a meeting of rescue officials.

No evacuations were ordered, but authorities said they could be if Nona hits the impoverished farming island of Samar which is home to 1.5 million people.

Food packs and other emergency items were stockpiled in the areas forecast to be hammered by Nona and the military was put on standby to evacuate people if necessary.

The storm is expected to cut across Samar, Masbate, Marinduque and Mindoro islands before heading out to the South China Sea near Manila early by Wednesday, December 16.

Storm surges, or giant crashing waves, were also a risk in some areas, said Pama.

More water amid El Niño threat

With the rainfall from Nona, the country could also get some breathing room as it braces for El Niño, said Coloma.

“Mayroon ding pananaw ang ating NDRRMC sa pamumuno ni Usec Alexander Pama na… ‘yung bagyo at ulan ay magdudulot ng karagdagang suplay sa tubig na kailangan din naman natin para harapin ‘yung hamon ng El Niño.”

(The NDRRMC, under Undersecretary Alexander Pama, also holds this view that the typhoon and the rain will bring additional supply of water that the country needs to overcome the challenges of El Niño.)

The next bulletin on Nona will be issued at 5 pm, December 13. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com