Naga City imposes curfew as Super Typhoon Pepito threatens Bicol
FILE PHOTO: Residents push their motorcycles through a flooded street caused by heavy rains brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in Naga City, Camarines Sur province on October 24, 2024. (Photo by ZALRIAN SAYAT / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion imposed a general curfew in his jurisdiction starting at noon on Saturday, November 16, “until further notice” as Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) threatens the Bicol Region.
In issuing the memorandum for the curfew on Saturday morning, Legacion said it was “in the interest of public safety” and at the recommendation of the Naga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The curfew prohibits Naga City dwellers from going out of their houses and evacuation sites and suspends the operations of all private establishments. It also bars all vehicles from going around the city unless during an emergency.
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The Naga City mayor said only personnel involved in emergency response and essential services are exempted from his memorandum.
Article continues after this advertisementBased on the 11 a.m. tropical cyclone update of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Naga City is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3.
Article continues after this advertisementOnly a few weeks since Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) lashed Bicol, the region is again on the path of another fierce tropical cyclone – Super Typhoon Pepito, which is expected to hit the Catanduanes at peak intensity either Saturday evening or Sunday early morning, November 17.
Pagasa said Pepito now carries maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 230 kph.
Super Typhoon Pepito was last spotted 185 kilometers (km) east of Catarman, Northern Samar, or 250 km east of Juban, Sorsogon. It was moving west-northwest at 25 kph.
Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion’s curfew memorandum
Pagasa hoisted TCWS No. 4 over parts of the Bicol Region on Saturday morning. Places under this wind signal may experience wind speeds of 118 kph to 184 kph within the next 12 hours, which may cause significant to severe damage to life and property.
READ: Storm surge alert up in Luzon, Visayas as Pepito’s landfall nears
Areas declared under TCWS No. 4 are:
Luzon
- Catanduanes
- Northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan, Lagonoy, San Jose)
Pagasa earlier said it may hoist up to TCWS No. 5 for Pepito.
Pagasa said Pepito will pass through the Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region before emerging at the West Philippine Sea. Pepito is anticipated to leave Philippine area of responsibility by Monday, November 18.
