Overnight rains from Pepito affect Nueva Ecija, Baguio, other Luzon areas

Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-Yi) dumped heavy rains overnight over Nueva Ecija, Baguio City, and other areas as it made its way across the Luzon landmass.

In Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, the heavy rains started Sunday afternoon and persisted throughout the night, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita on Monday.

(5:20PM) Malakas na buhos ng ulan at pagbugso ng hangin, nararanasan ngayon sa bayan ng Bongabon sa Nueva Ecija. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Jw9RkR1OBv

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) November 17, 2024

The strong winds swayed trees and cables and toppled signages.

A makeshift store by the roadside was destroyed.

In a "perya" or fair, tents were toppled down and one amusement ride operated on its own, fueled by Pepito's strong winds.

The rains flooded some roads.

The local government monitored flood-prone areas.

Heavy rains and strong gusts of wind were also felt in Palayan City and Cabanatuan City.

Affected residents sought shelter in evacuation centers.

In one evacuation center in Bongabon, more than 600 families or 1,700 families were staying as of Monday morning, but the numbers may still go up as more residents arrive to seek shelter.

Baguio

In Baguio City, heavy rains and strong winds were felt overnight, according to a separate report by Darlene Cay on Unang Balita.

By Monday morning, light rains continuously poured.

The local government remained on red alert.

The Baguio Philippine National Police offered free rides to those who were stranded.

Residents from landslide-prone areas were evacuated.

According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, 20 families were evacuated in Baguio City and are staying in evacuation centers.

Public parks such as Burnham Park and other tourist destinations were ordered closed on Monday.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong appealed to vacationers to postpone their trips.

"Ang akin lang advice sa ating mga kababayan na gustong umakyat dito, huwag ho muna ngayon. Ipagpaliban niyo muna," he said.

(My advice to our countrymen who want to go up here, please do not do so at this time. Postpone your trip.)

For those who need to go up to Baguio City, however, Magalong said Kennon Road should be avoided.

"Iwasan niyo muna ang Kennon Road kung aakyat kayo rito. Gamitin niyo muna ang Marcos Highway at Naguilian Road," he said.

(Avoid Kennon Road if you are going up here. Use Marcos Highway and Naguilian Road.)

Classes were suspended on Monday, Nov. 18, as the city recovers from the onslaught of Pepito.

Nueva Vizcaya

In Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, the rains were heavy and the winds strong, according to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Unang Balita.

Some trees fell in Bayombong.

Quirino

Some areas in Quirino had power outage due to Pepito.

Three bridges in the municipality of Diffun became unpassable to motorists.

Two hundred individuals in evacuation centers were given food packs.

Cagayan

Meanwhile, in Aparri, Cagayan, a tornado destroyed one house. No one was hurt.

In the municipality of Baggao, floodwaters entered some homes. Residents tried to save whatever belongings they could.

In the municipality of Amulung, rescuers searched the river for a six-year-old child who fell into the water.

Isabela

In Ilagan, Isabela, residents also felt the strong gusts of wind.

At 4 a.m. on Monday, the center of Pepito was estimated to be located at 145 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

It has maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 160 km/h, and central pressure of 965 hPa.

Pepito is moving northwestward over the West Philippine Sea at 30 km/h, and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility later in the morning or at noon. —KG, GMA Integrated News