MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone ‘Rolly’ (International name Goni) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and has rapidly intensified into a typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

According to PAGASA, the center of the eye of Typhoon Rolly is likely to make landfall over the Central Luzon-Quezon area on Sunday (November 1) evening or Monday (November 2) morning.

It may continuously intensify over the Philippine Sea and is likely to make landfall at peak intensity of 165 to 185 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA said, in anticipation of the arrival of strong breeze to near-gale conditions due to the typhoon, tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No.1 may be raised over several provinces in the Bicol Region today. 

Given that it is likely for this typhoon to continue intensifying prior to landfall, the highest possible TCWS that will be raised throughout its passage will be TCWS No.3 or TCWS No.4 associated with destructive to very destructive typhoon-force winds.

Thus, the public especially in areas though the typhoon path to take precautionary measures and constantly monitor updates for its development.

As of 3:00 AM Friday (October 30), typhoon Rolly was located at 1,195 km East of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h near the center and gustiness up to 170 km/h while moving Westward at 20 km/h.

Currently, the trough of Typhoon Rolly is bringing cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Visayas, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

The Northeasterly Surface Windflow is causing scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over Batanes and Cagayan.

Meanwhile, localized thunderstorms is affected Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon which experiencing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers.

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Goni has rapidly intensified into a severe tropical storm (STS) while moving westward at 10 km/h, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Thursday.

The center of STS Goni was estimated at 1,545 kilometers East of Central Luzon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) 16.6°North ,136.6°East, based on all available data.

The state weather bureau said STS Goni packed a maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h.

Once it enters the PAR, Goni will be renamed Rolly, PAGASA said.

It added that STS Goni was forecast to intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours and will continue to intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea.

State meteorologists said Goni may bring heavy rains over the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon either by Friday or the weekend as it moves closer.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 may be raised over some provinces in the Bicol Region and in Northern Samar by Friday evening. —/mbmf

MANILA, Philippines — Water level in Angat Dam further increased following days of rainfall from the onset of tropical cyclones.

As of 6:00 a.m. Thursday (October 29), Angat Dam’s water level is at 200.15 meters, a 0.5 meter increase from 199.65 meters yesterday.

According to state weather bureau PAGASA’s record, Angat’s water level has improved by about 20 meters this month of October brought about by a series thunderstorms and tropical cyclones that entered the country.

To date, Angat Dam needs only about 10 meters of rain to reach its maximum capacity.

Angat Dam is the main water source for domestic requirement in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Meanwhile, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said water allocation to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) will be increased from 44cms to 46cms but allocation for irrigation will be reduced from 30cms to 15cms.

Based on PAGASA’s projection, Angat’s water level may reach up to 212 meters by the end of December.

“Yes. For November ibinalik muna sa 46 cms ang MWSS and reduced ang NIA (National Irrigation Administration) from 30 to 15 cms at harvesting na sila,” said NWRB director Sevillo David Jr.

“Based on rainfall projections of PAGASA and prevailing La Niña period, aabutin ang normal high water level na 212 meters by end of December. We are closely monitoring developments,” he added. MNP (with reports from Rey Pelayo)