'Juaning' projected to land in Quezon and hit Central Luzon

NAGA City Philippines (July 27, 2011 12:30 A.M.) - As of 9:00 P.M. last night, Tropical Storm Juaning (International name: Nock-ten) has started moving northwestward away from the coast of Camarines Norte. Its Inner rainbands across the Bicol Region has slightly dissipated.

Typhoon2000 Automated Weather Station in Naga City recorded 8:30 P.M. last night wind gust of 27.4 kph blowing from the West Southwest, with barometric pressure of 998.8 millibars and 45-hour Rainfall Accumulation of 243 mm.

At 9:00 P.M. last night, Juaning was located 55 kilometers North of Daet, Camarines Norte or 80 kilometers North Northwest of Siruma, Camarines Sur at coordinates 14.6º North Latitude 122.9º East Longitude, maintaining center wind strength of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up 95 kph.

Juaning is expected to turn West Northwest towards the general direction of Central Luzon and across the South China Sea within the next 2 days. It shall weaken upon traversing Luzon and re-intensify upon emerging over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Early this morning (Wednesday) Juaning shall be over Polillo Islands as it prepares to make landfall near Real, Quezon about 110 km East of Metro Manila between 4 to 5 A.M. today. It shall then cross Northern Quezon, Northern Rizal, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales starting this morning until early this afternoon.

It will pass about 35 km Northeast of Metro Manila around 8 A.M. today.

This afternoon it shall weaken and may be downgraded to a Tropical Depression (TD) upon crossing Central Luzon in the vicinity of Iba, Zambales,about 60 km NNW of Subic Bay/Olongapo City.

Storm Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Catanduanes, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, including Polillo Island and Metro Manila.

The following provinces are still under Signal No. 1: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Mindoro Provinces, Lubang Is., Marinduque, Romblon, Burias Is., Masbate, Ticao Is. and Sorsogon.

Fatalities are rising even if Bikol region was spared from a direct hit by the Tropical Storm.

In Albay alone, 7 deaths have been reported prompting Governor Joey Salceda to blast the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) because of its inaccurate forecast. Salceda claims that the PAGASA had issued an assurance of mild impact from Juaning, but what hit the province was signal no 3 level winds and rains. The provincial government reported heavy flooding in some towns and they are now taking care of at least 70,000 evacuees.

Two fatalities have been reported in Camarines Sur and 1 in Catanduanes.