Relatives look at tombs which were destroyed by recent floodings at the still-flooded cemetery at Botolan township, Zambales province west of Manila, Philippines Friday Oct. 30, 2009. Typhoon Mirinae, locally named Santi, packing winds of 150 kilometers (93 miles) per hour, is expected to exit Luzon into the South China Sea later on Saturday of All Saints' Day weekend, when people visit cemeteries paying respects to dead relatives.
The typhoon this time will arrive with a bang. Packing winds powerful enough to merit a rare signal no. 3 in Metro Manila, "Santi" will blow through Central Luzon starting late Friday evening. But Pagasa predicts less rain than wind, lessening the chances of a repeat of the flooding that traumatized millions barely a month ago.
Metro Manila is bracing for another tropical cyclone, barely a month after Storm Ondoy's epic floods claimed over 400 lives.
According to Pagasa forecaster Romel Yutuc, "There will be more wind than rain (in Metro Manila) because there is no southwest monsoon, unlike 'Ondoy' that triggered heavy rains."
On the eve of one of the busiest holidays of the year for travelers, commercial boat transportation has been suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard since Friday morning in provinces from Aurora to Camarines Sur, including Manila's North harbor. Thousands have been stranded, ruining plans for family reunions and visits to the dead.
Storm Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the National Capital Region and 14 other areas in Luzon Friday afternoon after Typhoon Santi gained speed and rapidly approached Quezon province, where rampant logging and the occupation of hazardous areas have made the province vulnerable to devastating landslides.
The last time signal no. 3 was hoisted over Metro Manila was in June 2008 during Typhoon Frank, when MV Princess of the Stars capsized off Sibuyan Island, in Romblon province killing about 800. A total of 1,300 died because of the typhoon.
Santi is forecast to cross Metro Manila, as well as the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite, and Batangas before exiting to the South China Sea.
Nathaniel Cruz, weather sciences bureau chief, said rains and 90-kph winds were already being experienced in Virac, Catanduanes.
He said by Sunday afternoon (November 1), Santi would have been 760 kms west southwest of Metro Manila, over the South China Sea.
He however said people in affected areas could still experience a wet All Saints' Day.
"By November 1 papalayo na ang bagyo pero may posible pa ring pag-uulan lalo na sa kanlurang bahagi ng southern and central Luzon," Cruz said.
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