What you need to know about Super Typhoon Rosal
Super Typhoon Rosal (international name Champi) has entered the country's area of responsibility at 10:40 a.m. on Oct. 20, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over several areas in Northern Luzon and Catanduanes due to the threat of strong winds.
How strong is Super Typhoon Rosal?
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the agency reported maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center of Rosal, with gusts reaching up to 230 km/h. The storm has a central pressure of 940 hectopascals and was moving west-northwestward at 25 km/h.
Rosal was forecast to maintain its super typhoon strength, with further intensification still possible as it moves over the Philippine Sea.
Which areas are under Signal No. 1?
PAGASA raised TCWS No. 1 over the following areas as of its 11 a.m. bulletin on Oct. 20:
- Batanes
- Eastern portions of the Babuyan Islands: Babuyan Island, Camiguin Island, and Didicas Island
- Eastern portions of mainland Cagayan: Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Baggao, and Peñablanca
- Northeastern portions of Isabela: Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Tumauini, and Ilagan City
- Northeastern portions of Catanduanes: Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, and Gigmoto
Under Signal No. 1, strong winds of 39 to 61 km/h may be expected within the next 36 hours, which could pose "minimal to minor threats to life and property."
The weather bureau added that Signal No. 2 or 3 may be the highest wind signal raised during Rosal's passage.
Areas outside the wind signal zones may still experience strong to gale-force gusts.
On Oct. 20, these conditions may affect Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, the Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, most of Caraga, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.
On Oct. 21, strong to gale-force gusts may affect the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, the Polillo Islands, Bicol Region, Romblon, Eastern Visayas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Bohol, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, the Davao Region, Sarangani, and Zamboanga del Norte.
By Oct. 22, most parts of the country may still experience strong to gale-force gusts.
When will the typhoon leave the country?
PAGASA said Rosal is expected to move generally west-northwestward until Wednesday before heading northwestward until Friday morning.
The storm is forecasted to leave PAR by Friday evening or early Saturday morning, Oct. 24.
"Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property," PAGASA stressed.
"Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials," they added.