MANILA: Weathermen here have advised residents to take extra precaution in the next few hours against potential flashfloods due to thurderstorms with lightning and strong winds brought about by a low-pressure area (LPA) gathering strength off Luzon's northern tip.
Spotted 200 kilometers off northern Luzon, the LPA is expected to develop into a tropical depression within 24 hours.
ATM: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) prepare for the onslaught of Typhoon #OmpongPH | Courtesy: OCD Region 2 pic.twitter.com/21rOkV2uPi
— UNTV News and Rescue (@UNTVNewsRescue) September 11, 2018
Meanwhile, a "supertyphoon" codenamed Mangkhut, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h and gusts of up to 170 km/h, is set to enter the Philippines' area of responsibility by Wednesday, according to the latest bulletin issued by government weathermen.
On Monday, forecasters expect scattered rains over Ilocos, Apayao, Abra and Batanes provinces and Babuyan islands.
Meanwhile, heavy rains with lightning and strong winds due to thunderstorms are expected over Bulacan and Pampanga over the next two hours, according to a Pag-Asa bulletin issued at 7.30pm on Monday.
Potential 'super typhoon' Mangkhut is expected to enter PAR by Wednesday. It will be named “Ompong” once inside the country’s vicinity. https://t.co/uwOWHh455l pic.twitter.com/Pd9UwQKmpS
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) September 10, 2018
Bigger typhoon expected
Government meteorologist Shiela Reyes said they're keeping an eye on "supertyphoon" Mangkhut. On Monday, it was spotted 2,745 kilometers east of Southern Luzon.
Thunderstorm Advisory No. 2 #NCR_PRSD
— PAGASA-DOST (@dost_pagasa) September 11, 2018
Issued at: 12:07 PM 11 September 2018 pic.twitter.com/O4kcWsbC7K
It packs maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h and 170 km/h gusts, Reyes told radio DZMM.
Mangkhut is seen intensifying into a super typhoon as it moves over the Pacific Ocean, the weather bureau Pag-Asa earlier said.
The typhoon is expected to hit the US territory of Guam in the Pacific, before entering the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday, said Reyes.
I’m experiencing a huge typhoon at the moment. We haven’t had a big one like this in years.
— GiaPia (@shesnotthesame) September 10, 2018
Also, please pray for the island of Rota. I think they are typhoon Mangkhut’s target.
The video below is going viral amongst the islanders. pic.twitter.com/drZaFKgktR
Mangkhut is expected to pummel the Batanes and Cagayan provinces with heavy rains by Saturday. Its outer rain bands, meanwhile, will extend up to Metro Manila, the weather forecaster warned.
The supertyphoon's track may still change, so residents are urged to regularly check weather updates here.