A possible “super typhoon” threatens to hit the northern part of the Philippines, including the national capital Manila, this weekend, the state weather bureau warned on Friday evening, October 30.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said typhoon “Rolly” (international name “Goni”) “underwent extremely rapid intensification over the last 24 hours.”
The weather bureau said “Rolly” can become a super typhoon in the next 12 hours.
“Owing to very favorable conditions, there is an increasing likelihood that this typhoon will reach super typhoon category over the next 12 hours,” added the weather bureau.
As of Friday evening, “Rolly” has maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h and gustiness of up to 265 km/h.
If its maximum sustained winds exceed 220 km/h, it would be classified as a “super typhoon.”
The weather bureau said “Rolly” is expected to make a landfall on Sunday, November 1, somewhere in the areas of the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
“Rolly” will cross central Luzon in the northern Philippines and is expected to exit the region on Monday morning, November 2.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier said the typhoon will be “strong” but is not likely to develop into a “super typhoon.”
“There were estimates that this typhoon will be strong because it has already developed into a typhoon two days before its expected landfall,” said Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, executive director of NDRRMC.
“Let us not take this for granted,” he said, adding that the typhoon is expected to bring “heavy damage in high-risk structures that are poorly built, and even in houses that have medium-built materials.”
Jalad advised the public to heed typhoon warning signals. “If you are advised to evacuate, do not hesitate, prepare, and go to an evacuation center,” he said.
He also reminded the public to take care of themselves against COVID-19, especially in evacuation centers.
“Wear a face mask and other protective equipment, wash your hands, and observe physical distancing,” he said.
