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Storm Chedeng to Skirt Bikol

MANILA, Philippines (May 24, 2011) - While still technically classified as a storm, the third weather disturbance that entered the country this year has been gaining strength and has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

As of 6:00 PM Mon May 23 2011, storm Chedeng (International name: Songda) was located at 11.6º North Latitude 132.2º East Longitude or 740 km (400 nautical miles) East of Borongan, Eastern Samar. Its one-minute average wind velocity peaks at 110 kph near the center, with gustiness of up to 140 kph.

Chedeng is expected to continue intensifying while maintaining its WNW track across the Philippine Sea within the next 2 days and is likely to be upgraded to a Category 1 Typhoon early today (2AM MAY 24). It will gain more strength as it moves accross the warm Philippine Sea and may be upgraded to a Category 3 Typhoon by Wednesday afternoon as it passes the Philippine Sea east of Bicol region.

There is also a strong probability of Chedeng becoming a Category 4 Typhoon - as it heads towards the northeastern tip of Cagayan on Friday and towards Taiwan on Saturday.

If Chedeng's current direction holds, its closest approach to Bikol shall be 205 km Northeast of Pandan Catanduanes around 8AM on Thursday. Its closest approach to Camarines Sur shall be about 270 km Northeast of Siruma or 310 km Northeast of Metro Naga around 2PM on Thursday.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has already warned of heavy rains and strong winds starting today.

Speaking to reporters, Robert Sawi, PAGASA weather branch chief, said the storm will start dumping rains over the eastern section of the country beginning Wednesday, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

“Chedeng is so far the strongest tropical cyclone to enter the country this year,” he said.

He warned fishermen against venturing into the seas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Big waves are expected to prevail over these areas, he added.

Graciano Yumul, PAGASA supervising undersecretary, said Chedeng will continue to gather strength while over the Pacific Ocean.

“Chedeng could still intensify into a super typhoon,” he said.

Yumul said everybody should prepare as the whole country is expected to experience rains and strong winds due to the storm.

“The eastern seaboard will be directly affected by the storm but it will also enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring rains over the western seaboard… the western seaboard will be extremely wet from Wednesday to Friday,” he said.

Yumul said the storm could dump up to 20 to 55 millimeters per hour of rainfall, which is close to the 56 mm per hour rainfall brought by tropical storm “Ondoy” in September 2009.


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