Metro Manila Braces for Strong Rains as 'Nona" Maintains Strength

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 12/15/15 1:50 AM

 

Five areas remain under storm signal number 3
MANILA - (UPDATED) State weather bureau PAGASA said early morning on Tuesday that Typhoon Nona has slightly weakened with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 170 kph.
The typhoon was moving west at 15 kph.
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said heavy to intense rainfall is expected within the typhoon's 250-km diameter.
In an earlier announcement, the state weather bureau said that Metro Manila should expect light to moderate to at times heavy ‪‎rains‬. Nearby areas of Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna are likewise expecting the same amount of rainfall.
Public storm warning signal number 3 remained hoisted over Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island Marinduque and Romblon.
Areas under signal number 3 would experience 121-170 kph of winds in 18 hours. Storm surge in coastal areas may reach up to 3.6 meters, the weather bureau added.
Meanwhile, public storm signal number 2 was raised over Burias Islands, Southern Quezon, Batangas and Calamian Group of Islands.
Areas under signal number 2 should expect 61-120 kph of winds in 24 hours.
Public storm signal number 1 was declared in the following areas:
Metro Manila
Masbate including Ticao Island
Camarines Sur
Camarines Norte
Albay
Cavite
Laguna
Bulacan
Rizal
Northern Palawan
Bataan
Rest of Quezon
Aklan
Capiz
Antique
Iloilo
Areas under signal number 1 should expect 30-60 kph of winds in 36 hours.
The eye of Typhoon Nona was last seen 40 kms north-northeast of Romblon, Romblon, as of 4 a.m. on Tuesday.
Flash floods and landslides are expected in areas under signals number 2 and number 3, while storm surges of up to three meters are possible.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued by PAGASA.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FLEE DUE TO 'NONA'
More than 700,000 people in the central Philippines fled to safer areas for fear of giant waves, floods or landslides as Typhoon Nona slammed into the country on Monday.
In Albay, almost 600,000 people were evacuated due to fears that heavy rain could cause mudslides on the slopes of nearby Mayon Volcano, according to the national disaster monitoring office.
"The whole province is now a ghost town. We shut all establishments. No school, no work," Albay Governor Joey Salceda told ABS-CBN News.
POWER SUPPLY CUT IN BICOL, SAMAR
Meanwhile, several towns in the Bicol region and in the Samar provinces experienced power outages as Typhoon Nona hits southern Luzon and the Visayas.
According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), power supply in several towns in Sorsogon, Albay, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar were cut off on Monday.

29 AREAS IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL RISKS
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has identified 29 areas that are vulnerable to potential risks.
These areas fall within the 400-km diameter of the forecast track of Typhoon Nona.
In its 11 p.m. advisory on Monday, the DILG has identified the following areas:
Aklan
Albay
Antique
Bataan
Batangas
Biliran
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Capiz
Catanduanes
Cavite
Cebu
Eastern Samar
Iloilo
Laguna
Leyte
Marinduque
Masbate
Metro Manila
Negros Occidental
Northern Samar
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Palawan
Quezon
Rizal
Romblon
Samar
Sorsogon

Christmas and vacation

TUE, DECEMBER 15, 2015 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION
Klaus Doring

Several years ago, MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR‘s Editorial stated it very clear: “During the Christmas holidays, we tend to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, that we sometimes forget the essence of Christmas. We even remove Christ from the word Christmas reducing it to X’mas or substituting it with a name of a product or a shopping center.”

Yes, guys, honestly, that’s it…! I really don’t enjoy received “XMAS GREETINGS”….

I am glad looking forward to a two weeks vacation “between the years” – meaning to say between December 23 and January 7. No teaching at University of Southeastern Philippines, although most students wish to be prepared for their January exam in Manila. I might also send a very few office hours in my agency.

A rest from some occupation, business and other stressful activities is waiting for me. Strictly speaking, vacation concerns those who are in school or studying in colleges and universities. “Furlough” would be the appropriate term….

Christmas and vacation: Speaking about myself – I want to bring back Christ to the holiday season and indeed wish to share my blessings with the less fortunate. One of the best-known religious poems is “The Hound of Heaven” written by Francis Thompson, who tried to run away from God. He wanted to have a vacation from God. In reality it is Thompson’s own life. His poem shows clearly the fact in this world that we can have a vacation from physical and mental activities, but never from God.

As I stated before: according to the book of Genesis, after God created the universe in six days. He rested on the seventh day. In other words, He took a vacation. So if God rested after working for some period of time, there is no reason why man, who is finite and limited in his physical strength, should not take a vacation.

Vacation is freedom or release from tension or pressure of work. And, believe me, I learned already from my students, that they will enjoy Christmas and vacation. Many of us feel tired and weak. We are stressed, overwhelmed, depressed and worried about the future – the enumeration, in any order whatever, could be incessant.

Relaxation, meditation, and reinvigoration are badly needed for most of us nowadays. Life, affected by the “burnout syndrome” needs to be animated with energy and strengths.

Yes, Christmas has always been equated with all these worldly ways. Sure, there is indeed nothing wrong with this. Let’s don’t only focus on non-stop merrymaking and countless gifts. Let’s take a break, and let’s try to imagine and enjoy the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas again to everyone – also from this corner….

+++

Email: doringklaus @gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatin the philippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdorings classicalmusic.blogspot.com.