Pagasa: ‘Mawar’ might weaken into typhoon

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday that Super Typhoon “Mawar” (international name) might weaken into a typhoon over the next 12 hours while still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

But Pagasa Senior Weather Specialist Chris Perez said there is a likelihood that Mawar could re-intensify into a super typhoon before it enters PAR Friday night or Saturday morning.

Pagasa said that Mawar, which will be named “Betty” once it entered PAR, has a slim chance of making a landfall and will not directly affect the country.

It added the typhoon might recurve

toward Taiwan, and then head to Japan.

Perez said Pagasa might raise storm Signal No. 1 over extreme Northern Luzon and Cagayan as Mawar might bring heavy rains over the region due to the intensification of southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

Enhanced monsoon rains are expected over the western portions of Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), the Visayas and Mindanao beginning Friday to Saturdaym and over the western portions of Southern Luzon and the Visayas Sunday onward.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has alerted local government units (LGUs) and the public to prepare for Mawar.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said a total of 797,051 food packs have been stockpiled in its regional offices in preparation for the typhoon.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has directed all its regional directors to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to create a contingency plan.