The state weather bureau has placed 50 cities and municipalities in 6 Luzon provinces under the threat of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TWSC) No. 2 as ‘Paolo’ intensifies while hovering over the Philippine Sea.
Placed under TCWS No. 2 are the central and southern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, Naguilian, Palanan, Ilagan City, Quirino, Mallig, Quezon, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Cordon, City of Santiago, San Isidro, Ramon, Alicia, San Mateo, Cabatuan, City of Cauayan, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Gamu, Burgos, San Manuel, Aurora, Roxas), the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun), the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Kasibu), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig), Ifugao, and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan).
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the rest of Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz), Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael), the northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City), the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion), and Catanduanes.
In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued at 2 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Paolo maintains its strength while moving westward over the Philippine Sea.
PAGASA said aside from hazards affecting land areas due to the strong winds brought by Paolo, heavy rain is expected to affect Aurora today, October 2, and the provinces of La Union and Benguet on Friday. Heavy rains mean that rainfall will be dumping at least 200 mm of rain, causing widespread incidents of severe flooding and landslides.
In the next two days, 100 to 200 mm of rain is forecasted over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Zambales.
This means that numerous flooding events are likely, especially in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslide is likely in moderate to highly susceptible areas, PAGASA said.
Meanwhile, 50 to 100 mm of rain is forecasted to occur in Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan
These areas are likely to experience localized flooding, mainly in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslides is also possible in highly susceptible areas.
PAGASA said the highest Wind Signal that will likely be hoisted throughout Paolo’s passage is Wind Signal No. 3, or worse, Wind Signal No. 4, which is not being completely ruled out.
The state weather bureau said heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall.
Paolo will continue to intensify over the Philippine Sea and may reach severe tropical storm category tonight.
Currently, the eye of the storm was spotted 530 km. East of Infanta, Quezon, and is moving westward at 20 km/h.
It is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.
The storm is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by 11 a.m. of October 4..