SUPER typhoon “Mawar” (local name: Betty) slightly intensified while moving westward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau reported Friday noon.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the center of the eye of Betty was estimated based on all available data at 1,705 kilometers east of Southwestern Luzon as of 10 a.m.
The super typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 260 kph.
It is currently moving West at 20 kph, PAGASA said.
Mawar is forecast to track generally west northwestward until Sunday while accelerating before turning northwestward on Sunday.
On the track forecast, Pagasa said the super typhoon will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Friday night or early Saturday morning.
It will begin to decelerate on Sunday as it begins to move closer towards the waters east of Extreme Northern Luzon.
The center of the Mawar’s eye is forecast to be within 250 km of the Batanes-Babuyan archipelago by next week during the slowdown period.
The super typhoon is forecast to reach its peak intensity within 24 hours. However, it may slightly weaken by Saturday evening but is expected to remain as a super typhoon until Monday morning due to the highly favorable environment.
Pagasa said Mawar will then weaken at a slightly faster rate by late Monday or Tuesday as unfavorable conditions take place.
The weather bureau said the current forecast scenario shows that the typhoon may bring heavy rains which may trigger flooding or rain-induced landslides over Northern Luzon beginning late Sunday or on Monday next week.
In addition, strong to storm-force conditions may be experienced over extreme Northern Luzon, while strong to gale-force conditions are possible over the northern and eastern portions of Northern Luzon mainland.
As a result, Pagasa said wind signals will be raised by Saturday evening in preparation for these severe winds.
Mawar is also forecast to enhance the Southwest Monsoon which may bring monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas beginning on Sunday or Monday.
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Author: Franco Jose C. Baroña
