Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) Forecast To Make Landfall In Philippines

Typhoon Pablo (international name: Typhoon Bopha) is set to make landfall in the Philippines on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, according to data from the US Navy-Air Force's Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Typhoon Pablo Track Forecast (Courtesy of JTWC)

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Pablo, which may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, has the potential to be stronger than Tropical Storm Sendong, which killed over 1,000 people in Mindanao in December 2011.

As of December 2, 2012 (10:00 a.m.), the Philippine weather bureau located Typhoon Pablo, based on satellite and surface data, at 1,110 km East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness of up to 220 kph, moving West Northwestward at 20 kph.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has been on blue alert status since Friday. It has prompted local government units to "undertake preliminary measures" in preparation for the typhoon, including the pre-positioning of medicines, relief goods and heavy equipment. 

The following information were relayed by the PAGASA during a conference on Sunday:

- Typhoon Bopha will make landfall on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Estimated amount of rainfall is 13-20mm/hr.
- Stormy weather is expected over Northeastern Mindanao and Visayas starting tomorrow.
- Surigao, Compostela Valley and the rest of Mindanao will have heavy rains on Tuesday morning.
- The typhoon will traverse almost the whole of Visayas starting Tuesday.
- By Thursday, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will also experience rains.
- Floods and landslides possible.
- The typhoon may dissipate by Friday but will still bring rains, especially in Southern Luzon.

Typhoon Pablo will be the 16th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.