Typhoon #GlendaPH batters south Luzon

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MANILA, Philippines (5th UPDATE) – Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) continued to batter Southern Luzon and Metro Manila Wednesday morning, July 16, as it crosses Manila Bay.

As of 8 am, the typhoon’s eye was already in Manila Bay, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. From Cavite, Glenda is likely to pass by Manila Bay, then in Bataan, before it exits to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Despite this, some of the typhoon’s strongest winds and rain continued to pound much of Calabarzon and Metropolitan Manila, home to millions of people.

Weather Philippines, an independent weather organization, reported heavy to extreme rain with tropical force winds of 65 km/h or more will be experienced in almost all of Southern Luzon, northern parts of Bicol, and in southern parts of Central Luzon, specifically Bulacan, Bataan, and Pampanga.

Heavy rain and strong winds will also be experienced in other parts of Central Luzon.

Glenda is forecast to move at 26 kilometers per hour (kph). 

It has maintained its strength having maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

PAGASA said the typhoon will exit via Zambales by noon of Wednesday and be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday morning.

Public storm warning signal number 3 is in effect over the following areas:

• Metro Manila
• Pangasinan
• Zambales
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Bataan
• Quezon including Polillo and Alabat Islands
• Rizal
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Laguna
• Marinduque
• northern part of Mindoro provinces including Lubang Island

Residents in these areas should expect winds of up 185 kph that could bring heavy damage to infrastructure and cause disruption to the electricity grid.

PAGASA cautions the public against going outdoors in these areas.

Public storm warning signal number 2 is in effect over:

• La Union
• Benguet
• Nueva Ecija
• Southern Aurora
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Burias Island
• Romblon
• rest of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro 

Public storm signal number 1 is in effect over: 

• Ilocos Sur
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• rest of Aurora
• Catanduanes
• Sorsogon
• Ticao Island
• Masbate

Public Storm Warning Signals elsewhere have been lowered. PAGASA will release the next weather bulletin at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 16. 

One dead in Samar

Wind gusts ripped down trees, tore roofs off houses and overturned cars after Glenda swept in from the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday night, July 15, and hit the archipelago’s eastern islands.

Lourdes Ongray, 25, was killed in Allen, Northern Samar on Tuesday night when she was hit by an electricity post, the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Three fishermen in the east were also reported missing.

Power in many areas, including the business district of Makati, was cut just after dawn as branches were torn off trees and electricity lines snapped.

All government offices and schools were closed in Manila on Wednesday, with authorities urging people to stay indoors.

Across the country, about 450,000 people had fled their homes and sheltered in evacuation centers, according to Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman. – With reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

Get the latest updates on #GlendaPH from the Project Agos Disaster Information Page and follow our live coverage of Typhoon Glenda.