⌛ Mina' further intensifies; Albay in state of calamity

Typhoon "Mina" (international codename: Mitag) continued to gain strength and maintained its course for Bicol on Friday morning, prompting weather officials to hike storm signal warnings in the Bicol region and nearby provinces.

This, as the Albay province was placed under the state of calamity as the local government continued preemptive evacuation of residents living in high-risk areas in the province ahead of the typhoon’s landfall on weekend.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said due to the typhoon’s strength, Storm Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the following provinces:

• Catanduanes,
• Sorsogon,
• Albay,
• Burias Island,
• Camarines Sur, and
• Camarines Norte.

While under Signal No. 2 are:

• Southern Quezon,
• Polillo Island,
• Marinduque,
• Romblon,
• Masbate, and
• Northern Samar.

Storm Signal No. 1 is in effect in:

• Batangas,
• Laguna,
• Rizal,
• The rest of Quezon,
• Aurora,
• Oriental Mindoro,
• Occidental Mindoro,
• Calamian Group of Islands,
• Isabela,
• Quirino,
• Western Samar,
• Eastern Samar,
• Biliran Island,
• Aklan,
• Capiz, and
• the northern part of Leyte.

In its bulletin, Pagasa said "Mina" is now packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center - from 160 kph earlier in the day - and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

Pagasa said the typhoon was 220 kms east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m. and was moving west at 9 kph.

Given this course, the typhoon is forecast to be to be in the vicinity of Catanduanes Saturday morning, and off the coast of Oriental Mindoro Sunday morning. By Monday morning, the typhoon is forecast to be 230 kms west of San Jose, Oriental Mindoro.

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Those living in coastal areas were advised to be alert for big waves generated by "Mina."

As this developed, local officials placed Albay province under the state of calamity, even as the evacuation of residents continued in preparation of the coming of typhoon Mina.

Albay governor Jose Salceda said the provincial board approved his request to place the province under a state of calamity so it can mobilize additional funds for relief operations.

The province is one of the areas expected to be hit the hardest when "Mina" makes landfall in Bicol on Saturday.

"Ni-request ko kaninang umaga ... by 11 a.m. naipasa na (I requested the provincial board to declare a state of calamity. It approved my request at 11 a.m. today). The entire province of Albay is under a state of calamity," Salceda said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Salceda personally led provincial government teams in implementing the forced evacuation of residents to safer grounds.

As of Friday morning, more than 50,000 residents in Bicol have already been brought to safer grounds in preparation for the possible landslides, mud flows and flashfloods that may be triggered by rains brought by typhoon “Mina" when it hits the region on weekend.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Friday said local officials have thus far facilitated the preemptive evacuation of at least 50,387 people from 10,348 families in the Bicol region.

In its report dated 6 a.m. Friday, the NDCC said those evacuated include 9,328 families (45,487 persons) in Albay; 455 families (2,275 persons) in Camarines Sur; 300 families (1,500 persons) in Catanduanes); and 265 families (1,125 persons) in Sorsogon. - GMANews.TV[/B][/B]

 

Thanks Hanna for the update.

 

Picture from typhoon2000.com

 

Your welcome ..

Hanna.