As typhoon Ompong (international name “Mangkhut”) moves closer to the Philippines, the state weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), has declared storm signal warnings across Luzon, Philstar.com reported.
Consequently, work and classes have been suspended in several provinces, cities, and municipalities all over the country. Here is the latest image from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) website, showing the typhoon as it steadily barrels towards the Philippines:
PAG-ASA Hoists Storm Signals Across Luzon
Typhoon Ompong is expected to make landfall over Cagayan by Saturday morning. Meanwhile, storm warning signals have been declared in various areas, as follows:
Storm Signal No. 3
Northern Aurora
Cagayan
Isabela
Storm Signal No. 2
Abra
Apayao
Rest of Aurora
Babuyan Group of Islands
Batanes
Benguet
Ifugao
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
Kalinga
La Union
Mountain Province
Northern Zambales
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Vizcaya
Pangasinan
Quirino
Tarlac
Storm Signal No. 1
Albay
Bataan
Batangas
Bulacan
Burias Island
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Cavite
Laguna
Lubang Island
Marinduque
Masbate
Metro Manila
Northern Occidental Mindoro
Northern Oriental Mindoro
Northern Samar
Pampanga
Polillo Island
Quezon
Rizal
Sorsogon
Ticao Island
Rest of Zambales
NOTE: Areas under Storm Signals No. 2 and 3 will undergo stormy weather, whereas those under Signal No. 1 will encounter occasional rains and gusty winds.
Class Suspensions Due to Typhoon Ompong
As a safety measure, several provinces, cities, and municipalities have suspended work and classes, as reported by CNN Philippines. Moreover, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been coordinating with government agencies in preparation for the typhoon.
Classes have been suspended for ALL LEVELS (public and private) in these areas:
Region I: Ilocos
La Union Province (including public and private offices)
Pangasinan Province (including public offices)
Region II: Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Province
Isabela Province
Quirino Province
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya (including public and private offices)
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Abra Province (including public and private offices)
Apayao Province
Kalinga Province
Mountain Province
Baguio City
La Trinidad, Benguet
Aguinaldo, Ifugao
Alfonso Lista, Ifugao
Asipulo, Ifugao
Banaue, Ifugao
Hingyon, Ifugao
Lagawe, Ifugao
Mayoyao, Ifugao
Region III: Central Luzon
Aurora Province
Bulacan Province
Nueva Ecija Province
Pampanga Province
Tarlac Province
Zambales Province
Olongapo City
Region IV-A: CALABARZON
Cavite Province
Laguna Province
Quezon Province
Lipa, Batangas
Nasugbu, Batangas
Taal, Batangas
Tanauan, Batangas
Antipolo City, Rizal
Cardona, Rizal
Rodriguez, Rizal
San Mateo, Rizal
Taytay, Rizal
Region IV-B: MIMAROPA
Romblon Province (including public and private offices)
Region V: Bicol
Albay Province
Camarines Norte Province
Camarines Sur Province
Sorsogon Province
Region VII: Central Visayas
Cebu City
Region VIII: Eastern Visayas
Calbayog City, Samar
Catbalogan, Samar
Maasin, Southern Leyte
Region IX: Zamboanga Peninsula
Zamboanga City
National Capital Region (NCR)
All Cities
Meanwhile, the following area has suspended classes in PRE-SCHOOL to ELEMENTARY levels (both public and private):
Region IV-A: CALABARZON
Lemery, Batangas
What’s more, to ensure everyone’s safety, CNN Philippines shared the following emergency hotlines on Twitter:
Take note of these emergency hotlines. Stay safe, everyone! #OmpongPH ☔ pic.twitter.com/bALaF1SpeP
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) September 13, 2018
Track of Typhoon Ompong
As of 10am today (Philippine Standard Time), PAGASA reported that the eye of typhoon Ompong was located at 540 kilometres east of Baler, Aurora.
The typhoon continues to move northwest at 20 kilometres per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 205 kph, and gustiness of up to 255 kph. It is expected to make landfall in Cagayan by Saturday morning, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday morning.
For the latest updates and information about typhoon Ompong, please visit the PAGASA official website. Keep on following #OmpongPH online as well.
We hope that the information above can help you and your loved ones in the Philippines who may be affected by typhoon Ompong. As the country faces around 20 typhoons every year and remains vulnerable to climate change — we should always be prepared for extreme weather!