Chedeng Slows Down, Early Landfall in Samar or Bikol Feared

Naga City (May 25, 2011 8:00 A.M.) (UPDATED) - Storm Chedeng slows down anew as it gains more strength, making almost no upward progress for the last 6 hours - increasing the possibility of its early landfall within the Bicol mainland or Northern Samar.

With its path becoming increasingly hard to predict, the storm now moves westward, with southwestwardly jogs, at 13 kilometer per hour, packing a center wind of 140 kph with gustiness up to 165 kph.

If its current westward direction holds, Chedeng may make an earlier than expected landfall over any of the provinces of Northern Samar, Sorsogon, or Albay. The probability of the storm hitting Metro Manila would likewise increase.

All international forecast models, however, indicate that Chedeng may not maintain its westwardly direction nor land anywhere in Bikol region. It is expected soon to resume its northwestwardly course towards the Northern Philippine Sea, but coasting much closer to land than originally forecast.

As of 6 AM today, Chedeng's center is located at 12.2º North Latitude 128.2º East Longitude, or 390 km (210 nautical miles) East Southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar.

If Chedeng soon moves northward, its closest approach to Bikol shall be about 200 km Northeast of Virac Catanduanes between 2 AM and 4 AM tomorrow,Thursday. It's closest approach to Camarines Sur shall be about 235 km East Northeast of Caramoan or 300 km East Northeast of Metro Naga between 4 AM to 6 AM tomorrow. In Albay its closest approach shall be about 280 km Northeast of Legazpi City between 2 AM and 4 AM tomorrow. In Sorsogon the closest approach shall be 265 km Northeast of Sorsogon City between 12 AM to 2 PM tomorrow..

Storm signal no. 2 is now raised over Catanduanes,Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte; and signal no.1 over Masbate, Marinduque, Burias Island, Ticao Island, Southern Quezon and Polilio Island.

Camarines Sur in ready mode after Bebeng

The Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council (PRRMC) of Camarines Sur has pre-positioned and augmented its personnel and equipment as if Chedeng were indeed passing through the province.

Che Bermejo, in charge of PRRMC, says they have long prepared relief goods for 35 towns and 1 city of the province.

The PRRMC is now on 24/7 operation following the directives of the National Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and Gov L-Ray Villafuerte.

Bermejo has also said that the calamity fund of the province is still sufficient to cover any possible relief operation.

Camarines Sur is still in ready mode to meet natural calamities after it declared a state of calamity last week when Typhoon Bebeng struck the province. (With reports from Noriel Oya)