Day: October 3, 2009

Satellite Image from the Malaysian Meteorological Department – this image will refresh itself from time to time

Satellite Image from PAGASA, Philippines

The last time I was concerned about any typhoon was back in November 2007 when I was in Sipadan. Although the typhoon was more than 1000km to the northeast in the Philippines, high waves were churned up as far south as where we were at. This time around, Typhoon 19W (Parma a.k.a Pepeng) is a cause for concern as it is accelerating and may still become a Cat-5 typhoon.

A few days ago, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ketsana a.k.a Ondoy (17W) hit Luzon, while strong winds battered the islands of Perhentian, Redang and Lang Tengah on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, killing a 16-year old girl in Bachok, in the state of Kelantan. Parma is a lot stronger than Ketsana and already you can see from the satellite image from the Malaysian Meteorological Department that it is sending some gusting winds towards Kelantan, and Terengganu.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued several advisories that I will post below:

TYPHOON ADVISORY
Issued at 6:30 am 03/10/2009
Typhoon 19W, “Parma” is located at Latitude 16.9 North and Longitude 123.4 East, 371 km Northeast of Manila, Philippines at 5.00 am, 3 October 2009. This typhoon is expected to track Northwestwards at 18 kmph.

This Typhoon is located approximately 1355 km North-Northeast of Sandakan and 1321 km North-Northeast of Kudat, Sabah

FIRST CATEGORY WARNING
WARNING ON STRONG WINDS AND ROUGH SEAS

SECTION A : STRONG WIND AND ROUGH SEAS WARNING (FIRST CATEGORY)

Strong Southwesterly winds of 40 – 50 kmph and rough seas with waves up to 3.5 metres over waters off Phuket, Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Samui, Kelantan, Terengganu, Condore, Reef North, Layang-layang, FT Labuan and Sabah are expected to continue until Saturday, 3 October 2009.

This condition of strong winds and rough seas is dangerous to small crafts, recreational sea activities and sea sports.

SECTION B: WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS WARNING

Thunderstorm activities over waters off Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang, East Johore, west Sabah (Kudat and West Coast divisions), FT Labuan and Sarawak (Betong and Mukah divisions) is expected to persist until morning, Saturday, 3 October 2009.

This condition can cause strong wind up to 40 km/h and rough seas up to 2.5 metres and dangerous to small boats.

Updated on 03 Oct 2009, 3.30 am

Meanwhile, the Philippines Meteorological Agency, PAGASA has issued the following:

Typhoon “PEPENG” has accelerated as it continues to move towards Cagayan.
Location of Center: (as of 4:00 a.m.) 260 km Southeast of Aparri, Cagayan.
Coordinates: 16.6°N, 123.6°E
Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gusts of up to 210 kph
Movement: Northwest at 17 kph
Forecast Positions/Outlook: Saturday evening: expected to make landfall over Northern Cagayan
Sunday morning:150 kms Southwest of Basco, Batanes
Monday morning:290 kms West Northwest of Basco, Batanes

Signal No.3
(100-185 kph winds) :Cagayan, Babuyan Island, Calayan Island, Northern Isabela.

Signal No. 2
(60-100 kph winds) :Batanes Group, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Rest of Isabela, Northern Aurora, Polilio Island, Catanduanes

Signal No. 1
(30-60 kph winds) :Ilocos Sur, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Rest of Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay

Public Storm signals elsewhere are now lowered

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under signals #3, #2 and #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Those living along the coast in areas under signal #2 and #3 are advised to be alert against big waves generated by the typhoon.