Rosita to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela on Tuesday; heavy rains seen

Typhoon Rosita (international name: Yutu) continues on its track toward Luzon on Saturday morning, and is expected to make landfall over the Cagayan-Isabela area on Tuesday, PAGASA said in a press briefing.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals may possibly be raised over the eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon on Sunday evening, and over Metro Manila on Monday evening.

Light to moderate rains  are expected over Northern Luzon and the eastern section of Central Luzon on Monday evening, but on Tuesday morning, heavy rains are forecast over these areas especially Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, and Quezon. 

Strong to very strong winds are also expected in the eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon starting Tuesday morning.

Sea travel is risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the seaboard of Samar.

Flooding and landslides are possible, PAGASA said.

By Tuesday evening, the rains will be concentrated over Western and Central Luzon including Zambales, Bataan, and Ilocos.

It will be rainy the whole day Tuesday over Northern and Central Luzon including Metro Manila.

On Wednesday morning, rains are expected over Bataan, Zambales, and Ilocos Region.

By Wednesday evening, the rains will be over the West Philippine Sea and weather conditions will start improving.

As of 10 a.m., the eye of Rosita was located 1,345 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

It is moving west at 20 kph and has winds of 200-245 kph.

Rosita's diameter is 800 kilometers, bringing rain to a wider area.

PAGASA said Rosita is highly similar to Typhoon Ompong which caused devastation in Cagayan and Isabela area in September.

GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz said in a report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Saturday that preparations should already be in place.

"Kung ano 'yung naramdaman natin dito sa Ompong lalo na 'yung Northern Luzon ay halos ganun din ang dapat paghandaan (sa) Cagayan Valley, Cordillera at sa Ilocos Region pagtama ng Bagyong Rosita," he said.

"Malaki ang tsansa na magkaroon ng landslide (sa Itogon, Benguet) dahil sa dalawa, tatlong araw na pag-ulan, Cruz said, adding that evacuations may be necessary.

Undas

For All Saints' Day (Undas) on November 1, Cruz said some cemeteries may be flooded in Northern and Central Luzon due to days of heavy rains.

Rain will be light in Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, he said.

Cruz also advised those intending to take sea travel for Undas to rethink their plans as there is a gale warning over the eastern seaboard. Passengers may be stranded if the Philippine Coast Guard disallows sea travel due to unruly seas. —KG, GMA News