The Philippines braced for calamity on Sunday, November 17, as Super Typhoon Pepito, one of the most powerful storms to hit the country this year, unleashed its fury. With Signal No. 5 hoisted over Catanduanes and nearby provinces, the typhoon left a trail of devastation even before its projected landfall.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Pepito had intensified to a super typhoon on Saturday evening, packing maximum sustained winds of 240 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts reaching up to 295 kph. PAGASA warned that Pepito’s strength could bring “catastrophic damage” to structures, agriculture, and transportation systems in affected regions.
Catanduanes, described as being directly in Pepito’s crosshairs, was under Signal No. 5, with life-threatening winds and storm surges expected. Other parts of Luzon and Visayas were also placed under varying storm signals, signaling widespread heavy rainfall and potential flash floods.
Hours before landfall, life-threatening conditions began to materialize. Flooding was reported in low-lying areas of Cagayan, still grappling with the aftermath of recent storms. Local officials have appealed for immediate assistance, with evacuation centers at full capacity. Fears of landslides and widespread destruction loomed, particularly in mountainous and coastal communities.
Meanwhile, PAGASA warned that intense rainfall from Pepito could lead to flooding in metropolitan areas, exacerbating the already precarious conditions for millions of Filipinos.
The super typhoon has paralyzed transportation and commerce. Philippine Airlines (PAL) and other carriers canceled dozens of domestic and international flights on Saturday and Sunday. Passengers were advised to check for updates as flight disruptions were expected to persist.
The Department of Education announced widespread suspension of classes for Sunday and potentially beyond, citing safety concerns. Many local governments followed suit, canceling work in public offices and advising businesses to prioritize employee safety.
Residents in several provinces stocked up on supplies, leading to long lines at supermarkets and empty shelves in some areas. Authorities have urged the public to remain indoors and cooperate with evacuation efforts.
Pepito’s destructive potential threatens to deal a devastating blow to the country’s agricultural sector. Vast tracts of rice paddies and plantations across Luzon and Visayas are at risk of inundation. With the harvest season underway, farmers in affected areas face losing months of hard work and income.
Additionally, fisherfolk in coastal towns have been barred from venturing out to sea, cutting off their primary source of livelihood. The economic toll on vulnerable communities, many of which are still recovering from the impact of earlier typhoons and the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, is expected to be severe.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened an emergency meeting on Saturday to coordinate disaster response efforts. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has prepositioned relief goods and deployed search-and-rescue teams to high-risk areas. However, concerns over inadequate resources and delayed response times persist, especially in remote communities.
Local government units have ramped up evacuation efforts, relocating thousands of residents to temporary shelters. While these centers provide refuge from the storm, overcrowding has raised fears of outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as respiratory infections and COVID-19.
As Pepito loomed, Cagayan Valley was already reeling from a series of typhoons and storms over recent weeks. Extensive flooding in the region has left many barangays submerged under several feet of water. Relief efforts have been hampered by impassable roads and dwindling resources.
The compounding disasters have drawn renewed calls for systemic changes in disaster preparedness and climate resilience. Environmental advocates have stressed the urgent need to address the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
As Super Typhoon Pepito barrels across the Philippines, the nation faces yet another test of resilience. The catastrophic impact of this storm underscores the urgency of comprehensive disaster preparedness and sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
For now, millions of Filipinos can only hope for safety and solidarity as they weather the storm. Relief efforts will undoubtedly continue long after Pepito’s winds have died down, as communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding and recovering.
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