Typhoon Paolo makes landfall in Isabela; Signal No. 4 raised

Strong winds and heavy rains battered Dinapigue, Isabela on Friday, Oct. 3 as Typhoon Paolo (international name: Matmo) made landfall at 9 a.m., said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

- By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

It had maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph at landfall.

PAGASA immediately raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 in affected areas of Luzon.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue from Friday, Oct. 3 until Saturday noon, Oct. 4.

Areas forecast to receive intense to torrential rainfall (more than 200 millimeters) include Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Benguet.

Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) is expected over Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) is expected to persist in Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas.