From PAGASA’s 8 p.m. bulletin
Malacañang on Saturday called on the public to brace for and be well-informed about typhoon “Rolly,” which is said to be the strongest typhoon in the world in 2020.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque said disaster agencies were on standby 24/7, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on red alert status.
“They have been conducting pre-disaster risk assessments to ensure that all local government units and communities are prepared for the possible impacts of the typhoon to landslide-, flood-, storm surge- and lahar flow- prone areas,” he added.
As of Oct. 30, the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) has about P890 million worth of food packs and standby aid for families affected by “Rolly.”
Defense Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad warned that “Rolly” could cause widespread damage even if it did not develop into a super typhoon.
“Kung typhoon level lang ay ibig sabihin aabot tayo ng typhoon signal number 4 at magkakaroon iyan possibly ng lakas ng hangin na 171 to 220 kilometers per hour at aasahan natin ang heavy to very heavy na damages doon sa lugar na kaniyang dadaanan,” he said in a Laging Handa briefing.
The eye of “Rolly” was located by weather bureau Pagasa at 345 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes at 4 p.m. today, with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 265 km/h.
Pagasa said “Rolly” was moving west-south-westward toward the coast of Bicol, and would move west-north-westward tomorrow morning.
It said heavy to intense rainfall would be experienced in Metro Manila, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Marinduque, and the northern parts of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.
The NDRMMC said more than 200,000 people were evacuated.
A new tropical storm, “Atsani” was last monitored at least 2,150 kilometers east of Mindanao.
It is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday or Monday and would be given the name “Siony” once it enters the country.
The Department of Education urged schools to make adjustments due to the two weather disturbances, such as holding makeup classes. Classes will be suspended based on the storm signal reported, it said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro and Gicel Livelo