Typhoon Chedeng, also known as Tropical Storm Songda, will hit the Northern Philippines on 25th May 2011. An update from the United States’ National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at 8pm Chamorro Standard Time on Tuesday 24th May 2011 was as follows:
“Tropical Storm Songda slowly intensifying
“No watches or warnings are in effect.
“At 1900 CHSTthe center of Tropical Storm Songda was located near latitude 12.6º North and Longitude 129.7º East. This is about 485 miles North-West of Koror and 610 miles West-North-West of Yap.
“Tropical Storm Songda is moving West-North-West at 9mph. A slight turn to the North-West with little change in forward speed is expected tonight and Wednesday.
“Maximum sustained winds are 70mph. Tropical Storm Songda is forecast to slowly intensify overnight and is expected to become a typhoon by early Wednesday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 120 miles from the center.”
The Philippine government’s Designated Public Works and Highways Disaster Quick Response Teams (DPWH) teams are on standby for when the storm makes landfall.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson:
“The Philippines Atmospheric Geophysical & Astronomical Services Agency has already warned that there is a possibility that typhoon Chedeng may brought heavier rains compared to typhoon Milenyo, that’s why we must double our efforts to assure the public safety and to assure immediate rescue and relief operation during calamity.”
Drains have already been cleared in advance of the storm’s approach and the DPWH teams will help to deal with potential road blockages, floods and landslides.
The latest forecast from the PAGASA was issued at 17:00 local time on 24th May 2011:
“At 4pm today, Tropical Storm Chedeng was estimated, based on satellite and surface data, to be at 450km East North East of Boronggan, Eastern Samar or at 510km East of Catarman, Northern Samar ( 12.5° N, 129.8 °E ) with maximum sustained winds of 115kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145kph. It is forecast to move West North West at 13 kph.
“Forecast: The provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon and Samar will experience rains with gusty winds. The rest of the country will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.
“Moderate to strong winds blowing from the North East to North West will prevail over Southern Luzon and Visayas and coming from South West over Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the East with slight to moderate seas.”
