Marce exits after battering Cagayan; new LPA looms

Another tropical cyclone is forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the next few days after the exit of Typhoon Marce.

- By ROMINA CABRERA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there is a high chance that a cyclone could form or enter PAR next week.

A tropical cyclone-like vortex has a high probability of developing while approaching east of Luzon.

Once developed into a cyclone, the weather disturbance is likely to traverse the Northern-Central Luzon area.

The cyclone will be named Nika and will again hit the areas of Northern Luzon still reeling from the onslaught of Marce.

Marce, with international name Yinxing, carried maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kph as it exited PAR.

All tropical cyclone wind signals have been lifted by PAGASA.

The trough of the typhoon is still bringing isolated rains over La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales.

Localized thunderstorms may bring isolated rains over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Marce's aftermath

Typhoon Marce affected a total of 7,233 families or 20,674 people in various provinces in at least three regions in Northern Luzon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 239 barangays from 45 localities in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) experienced heavy rains and flooding.

Of those affected, 3,958 families or 11,476 people sought temporary shelter at 186 different evacuation centers, while others stayed at home or with relatives in safer areas.

The NDRRMC, as of yesterday's monitoring, said there have so far been no reported deaths, injuries or missing persons related to Typhoon Marce.

It gave assurance that those most affected and displaced are receiving relief goods and other basic needs, especially those staying in evacuation centers.