Residents across the Visayas and northern Palawan are bracing for Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) as it strengthens, bringing heavy rains, storm-force winds, and the risk of life-threatening storm surges, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned Monday, November 3.
At 11am, PAGASA tracked Tino’s center 285 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 150 to 165 kph, accompanied by stronger gusts near the center.
PAGASA reported that Tino could make landfall late Monday night or early Tuesday morning over southern Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, or Dinagat Islands before crossing the Visayas and northern Palawan.
The typhoon is expected to exit into the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday afternoon, PAGASA predicted.
It added that the storm may rapidly intensify within the next 24 hours, potentially reaching super typhoon strength.
The weather bureau placed areas under Wind Signal No. 3 at risk of moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds, while locations under Signals 1 and 2 may experience minor to moderate effects.
The highest signal likely to be raised is Signal No. 4.
Prepare
Coastal communities should prepare for storm surges exceeding three meters in Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Mindoro, Palawan, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will enhance Tino’s winds, producing strong to gale-force gusts across Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Bicol Region through Wednesday.
The state weather bureau also warned mariners that seas could become dangerous, with waves reaching up to nine meters along the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
PAGASA advised all vessels to stay in port or seek safe harbor and warned small boats and motorbancas to avoid venturing out to sea.
Authorities urged communities along the typhoon’s projected path to monitor updates closely, follow evacuation orders, and take precautionary measures to protect lives and property.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.