Super typhoon Mawar enters PAR, now called Betty

Super Typhoon Mawar has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning, PAGASA reported.

Mawar was reported within PAR by 2 a.m. and will be called Betty in the cyclone bulletins that would be issued by the weather bureau.

As of 4 a.m., the center of the eye of Super Typhoon Betty was estimated at 1,320 kilometers east of Central Luzon packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, gustiness of up to 240 km/h and moving west northwestward at 25 km/h.

No tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised so far.

Rainfall forecast

Forecast accumulated rainfall from Monday early morning to Tuesday early morning is 50-100 mm in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao.

Forecast accumulated rainfall from Tuesday early morning to Wednesday early morning is greater than 200 mm in Batanes, 100-200 mm in the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union while 50-100 mm is forecasted for Cordillera Administrative Region and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan.

PAGASA said forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas.

Monsoon rains

In areas that will not be directly affected by the super typhoon, there would be monsoon rains from the enhanced Southwest Monsoon over the western sections of MIMAROPA, Visayas, and Mindanao on Sunday.

On Monday and Tuesday, monsoon rains are likely over the western sections of MIMAROPA and Western Visayas, and possible over the rest of MIMAROPA and Western Visayas.

"Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days," said PAGASA.

Severe Winds

In anticipation of possible strong breeze to gale-force conditions caused by the approaching super typhoon, the weather bureau said the wind signals may be hoisted in some areas of Northern Luzon - especially in the northern portion - on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring strong breeze to near gale conditions with intermittent gusts in Visayas, the eastern portions of Central and Southern Luzon, and the northern and eastern portions of Mindanao.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

In the next 24 hours, the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas will experience moderate to rough seas, which may become rough to very rough in the afternoon or evening.

The northern seaboard of Luzon may also experience moderate to rough seas this morning through afternoon and rough seas tonight.

PAGASA advised mariners of small seacraft to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.

A marine gale warning may be issued within the day in anticipation of these conditions.

Track and Intensity outlook

Over the weekend, Betty is forecast to track generally west northwestward and on Monday, will turn northwestward and slow down as it moves over the waters east of Extreme Northern Luzon.

Betty may eventually become almost stationary between late Tuesday and early Wednesday when it will be closest to Batanes.

Betty will remain a super typhoon over the weekend and may maintain its strength for the next 36-48 hours but short-term intensification is not ruled out especially in the next 12 to 24 hours.

The tropical cyclone may begin weakening considerably on Monday or Tuesday during its slowdown period over the waters east of Batanes due to potential unfavorable conditions.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take all necessary precautions to protect life and property.

Those living in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to hazards were advised to evacuate when instructed by local officials.

PAGASA will issue the next bulletin at 11 a.m.

Classes, preparations

Classes scheduled for Saturday, May 27, in some areas have been canceled as part of the precautionary measures in light of Super Typhoon Betty.

Meanwhile, a total of 34,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines are ready to conduct search, rescue, and retrieval operations for possible victims of Betty. —BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News