Less "Juaning" Rains in Metro Manila (July 27, 2011)

After making a landfall in Casiguran, Aurora around 9:30 AM Wednesday, Tropical Storm Juaning was upgraded to a "severe tropical storm" with maximum sustained winds rising from 85 to 95 kilometers per hour.

Rains in Metro Manila, though, may be less compared to the amount of rainfall we experienced yesterday because the concentration of rain is in the southwest part of the storm.

However, Metro Manila still remains under Storm Signal No. 2 together with 21 other provinces. They are Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Isabela, La Union, Benguet, Ifugao, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, and Polillo Island.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Cagayan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Mindoro Provinces, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Burias Island.

Flashfloods and landslides are possible so people in low lying and mountainous areas under storm signals 1 and 2 are advised to evacuate. People living in coastal areas are also alerted for possible big waves brought by the storm.

Classes Suspended in NCR on Wednesday (July 27) Due To 'Juaning'

Department of Education-NCR Director Elena Ruiz announced Tuesday night that classes are suspended on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, due to expected heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Juaning.

As of the time of announcement, NCR and 17 other areas are under Storm Signal No. 2. These are Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Polillo Island, and Metro Manila.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Mt. Province, Ifugao, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Mindoro Provines, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Romblon, Burias Island, Masbate, Ticao Island, and Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, there has been no announcement yet regarding the suspension of classes for colleges and universities in the NCR for tomorrow. Suspension of classes for college level depends on school heads.

Update: CHED has devolved the authority to finally decide on class suspension of the tertiary level to the concerned Higher Education Institution Officials.

Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake Felt in Davao (July 26, 2011)

After the magnitude 4.9 earthquake was recently felt in the Davao area in Mindanao hours after the magnitude 5.9 earthquake that rocked Iba, Zambales.

Phililippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the Davao earthquake was recorded at 4:02 PM, July 26, 2011, with epicenter at 39 km S 60° E of Cateel, Davao Oriental. It was tectonic in origin and no damage or aftershock was expected.

Reported intensities were as follows:
Intensity IV - Cateel, Davao Oriental
Intensity III - Davao City
Intensity II - Tagum City

7 Dead in Albay Due to "Juaning"

Seven (7) residents of Albay have been reported dead from different causes brought about by the tropical storm Juaning. According to Albay Governor Joey Salceda, the fatalities include 3 residents of Barangay Gabon, Polangui who died in a landslide; 2 died when a tree fell on their house due to strong wind in Barangay Basicao; 1 died of electrocution; and another one died after being swept away by the flood.

Storm signal no. 2 was declared over Albay and nearby provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Polillo Island, and Aurora.

Albay alone recorded 295 mm of rain for the past 24 hours. Normal average of rain for the whole month of July is 279 mm.

Salceda said that almost all of the towns are isolated due to flood. Electricity and communication lines have also been cut off.

He further said that rescue teams are all set to help out once flood waters subside.

Here in Manila, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman announced that 3,000 sacks of rice are being prepared to be sent to affected residents of the Bicol region.

Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Hits Zambales

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit the Philippines on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at exactly 1:15 AM. Epicenter was 13 km N 66° W of Iba, Zambales.

Intensity IV was felt in Clark, Pampanga; Quezon City; and Manila City, while Intensity III was felt in Makati City; and Pasig City.

There were no initial reports of damage or casualty but aftershocks are expected.

Be safe everyone!