Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi): What you need to know
Pepito (Man-yi) has intensified into a super typhoon.
The Philippine Astronomic, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 2:00 p.m. bulletin that it reached super typhoon category on Saturday morning, Nov. 16. Later in the day, the Japan Meteorological Agency said it's now classified as a "violent typhoon," the highest mark in its wind intensity scale.
Pepito is more likely to make landfall in Catanduanes on Saturday evening or early morning of Sunday, Nov. 17.
Here’s what you need to know about the super typhoon.
How strong is it?
Pepito is forecast to affect Eastern Visayas and Luzon areas, with Signal No. 5 as the highest tropical cyclone wind signal hoisted ahead of its occurrence.
According to PAGASA, there is a "high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m" in the next two days over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Region (western coast), Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran.
The agency warned that sea travel is not safe for all types or tonnage of vessels. "All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside," it noted.
While it has strengthened into a super typhoon, the agency said "significant weakening will occur" as Pepito passes over mainland Luzon on Sunday, Nov. 17, but it "will likely remain as a typhoon until it reaches the West Philippine Sea."
Pepito is expected to move generally west northwestward within the next three days. It will then turn generally westward to west southwestward from Monday afternoon to Thursday morning, Nov. 21. It's forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday.
"It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone," PAGASA said, adding that its track may still shift within its limit.
Storm surge
On its Facebook page, PAGASA released a graphic showing areas that could be vulnerable to storm surge inundation amid the super typhoon. It's classified into three sea water levels (1 m, 2 m, and 3 m) to illustrate how it could affect certain areas in the next few days.
You can check out a full list of the localities at risk here.
Government preparing for worst-case scenario
According to a news release posted on the Presidential Communications Office website on Nov. 16, the Office of Civil Defense said government agencies have been directed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to prepare for the worst-case scenario as Pepito nears the Philippines. They were asked to "do the utmost preparations" to areas that could be directly and potentially affected by the super typhoon.
“Ang usapan namin diyan at iyan din ang pag-uutos ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos at ni Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, dapat gawin natin iyong worst case scenario planning. Mas maganda na iyong sobra ang paghahanda kaysa magkulang,” OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said in a news forum.
“Kayat dito sa bagyo na ito, pampito na ho ito eh simulan natin sa Julian, Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel. Pampito itong si Pepito. Kayat iyong paghahanda natin, hindi ngayon ho sinisimulan iyan. Kailangan maunawaan ng ating mga kababayan na ito ay nakadugtong doon sa anim na mga naunang bagyo,” he added.
Nepomuceno said those who are staying in evacuation centers because of previous typhoons are advised not to come home just yet for their safety. Around 11,448 families or 35,335 individuals are currently residing in temporary shelters, the PCO reported. Per Nepomuceno, that number went up when preemptive evacuation was conducted.
Hotlines
Contact the following hotlines should you need immediate help or rescue amid the super typhoon:
- National Emergency Hotline: 911
- National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council: (02) 8911-5061 to 65 (local 100)
- Philippine Red Cross: 143, (02) 8527-8385 to 95; Trunkline: (02) 8790-2300