‘Paeng’ moving towards Northern Luzon

TYPHOON “Paeng” (international name “Trami”) continues to move towards extreme Northern Lu­zon, but its effects may not be as strong as typhoon “Ompong” (in­ternational name “Mangkhut”).

However, Philippine Atmospher­ic, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration Weather Division Marine Meteorological Services Section chief Rene Pa­ciente said the public, particularly those in the Cordillera Administra­tive Region, should remain on alert for possible landslides due to satu­rated soil from recent rains.

Paeng comes more than a week after Ompong left a trail of de­struction in Northern Luzon.

PAGASA Administrator Vicente Malano said Paeng may not be as powerful as Ompong but the pub­lic should not let their guard down and remain vigilant for possible landslides and flash floods caused by Paeng and the enhanced south­west monsoon or “habagat.”

“Paeng’s effect may be less in­tense than Ompong because it is only expected to cross the tip of Northern Luzon, unlike Ompong that crossed the landmass of Lu­zon,” Malano said.

“But even if only moderate rains or thunderstorms will affect Om­pong-hit areas, the possibility of landslides occurring in these areas is still,” Paciente said.

Before noon yesterday, Paeng was 975 kilometers east of Tugue­garao City, Cagayan. It further in­tensified with maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

Paciente said Paeng could still reach 200 to 205 kph maximum sustained winds as it continues to move over bodies of water.

PAGASA weather specialist Al­dczar Aurelio said Paeng was cur­rently moving west-northwest at 20 kph but is expected to slightly slow down by today until Thursday.

As Paeng picks up speed and move towards Batanes or Taiwan by Friday, Aurelio said PAGASA will likely raise tropical cyclone warn­ings over extreme Northern Luzon by Thursday or Friday. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)