MANILA – Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing) continues to lose strength, but as of 5 a.m. on Friday (08 Nov 20024), more regions in Northern Luzon have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4, according to the latest update from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The typhoon currently has maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h near the center and gusts reaching up to 215 km/h. As of 4 a.m., it was located over the coastal waters of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Areas Under TCWS No. 4

The following areas are expected to experience typhoon-force winds:

Ilocos Norte

Northern Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao)

Northern Abra (Danglas, Lagayan, Tineg)

Northwestern Apayao (Calanasan)

Northwestern Cagayan (Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes)

TCWS No. 3

A TCWS No. 3 is in effect for the southern and western portions of the Babuyan Islands (Fuga, Dalupiri, Calayan, Camiguin), northern and western Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, central Abra, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, among other areas. In these regions, storm-force winds will prevail.

TCWS No. 2 and No. 1

Other areas, including Batanes, Isabela, Kalinga, and portions of Benguet and La Union, have been placed under TCWS No. 2, where gale-force winds are expected. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 has been raised in additional areas, where strong winds are anticipated.

PAGASA warned of strong to gale-force gusts across Batanes, Cagayan, the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and the Ilocos region, due to the northeasterly wind flow and the outer periphery of Typhoon Marce.

Dangerous Storm Surges and Heavy Rains

PAGASA also issued a warning for life-threatening storm surges, with peak heights exceeding 3 meters, especially in the low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. These surges are expected to occur within the next 48 hours.

Heavy to intense rainfall is forecast for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, and Abra, while moderate to heavy rains are expected over La Union, Kalinga, and Cagayan.

Gale Warning in Effect

A gale warning has also been issued for the seaboards of Northern Luzon, making sea travel risky for all types of vessels.

PAGASA expects Typhoon Marce to continue weakening and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday afternoon or evening.

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By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is gearing up for Typhoon Marce and is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) that may be affected by the storm.

“As we speak, the PNP is continuously coordinating with local government units, particularly in areas expected to be hit by the typhoon,” PNP Spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said.

She noted that PNP Chief Police General Rommel Franciso Marbil has instructed them to prepare and reach out to local governments in the typhoon’s path.

Fajardo stated that the PNP is ready to assist local governments with preemptive evacuations to minimize the impact of the storm.

“The PNP is prepared to provide the necessary police assistance for preemptive evacuations to ensure that the effects of the approaching typhoon are minimized,” Fajardo said.

Meanwhile, Fajardo urged the public, especially those living in low-lying areas and regions prone to landslides, to evacuate early.

This is to prevent a repeat of the tragic incidents in Batangas during Typhoon Kristine, where many lives were lost.

According to the weather state bureau Pagasa, Marce is likely to make landfall north of Luzon towards the weekend and may strengthen into a typhoon before approaching Northern and Central Luzon.

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