Dodong intensifies; landfall expected over Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Typhoon Dodong (international name: Noul) has slightly intensified on Saturday evening, May 9, as it continues to move towards the eastern coast of northern Luzon, said state weather bureau PAGASA.

As of 10 pm, Dodong was located at 310 kms east northeast of Infanta, Quezon, or at 305 kms east of Baler, Aurora. It packs maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h near the center (up from 160 km/h recorded at 4 pm) and gustiness of up to 200 km/h.

The typhoon is seen to move northwest at 18 km/h, added PAGASA in its 11 pm bulletin Saturday. Dodong is now expected to make landfall over the coast of Cagayan area by Sunday afternoon, May 10.

By Sunday evening, Dodong will exit the landmass via Gonzaga, Cagayan, and will leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning.

Cagayan, Isabela, and northern Aurora remain under public storm warning signal number 3, with 121 km/h to 170 km/h winds expected in at least 18 hours.

Meanwhile, 9 areas are under public storm warning signal number 2:

• Calayan Group of Islands
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Ifugao
• Rest of Aurora
• Quirino

Public storm warning signal number 1 is maintained over 10 areas:

• Batanes
• Abra
• Ilocos Sur
• Ilocos Norte
• Benguet
• Nueva Ecija
• Quezon, including Polillo Island
  
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes

PAGASA warned against possible storm surges of up to 1.5 meters over the eastern coast of Isabela and Cagayan.

Heavy to intense rains are also expected within the typhoon’s 150-km diameter.

The weather bureau advised the public to refrain from outdoor activities, particularly along the beaches of the eastern section of Luzon from Saturday until Sunday.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals must also stay alert against possible flashfloods and landslides, while fisherfolks are advised against venturing out over the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

PAGASA will issue its next bulletin on Dodong at 5 am Sunday. – Rappler.com