Pepito keeps super typhoon strength

Over 800,000 displaced

- BELLA CARIASO

Nearly a million people were displaced, flights were canceled and classes remain suspended in many areas today as Super Typhoon Pepito barreled across Luzon, making two landfalls and causing extensive damage in its wake.

Pepito (international name Man-Yi) first made landfall at 9:40 p.m. last Saturday in Panganiban, Catanduanes, while the second landfall occurred at 3:20 p.m. yesterday in Dipaculao, Aurora, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres reported that as of 5 p.m. yesterday, Pepito's eye was located in the municipality of Nagtipunan in Quirino province, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 305 kph as it moved northwestward at 25 kph.

Torres said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 was hoisted over the central portion of Aurora, including Dipaculao, Baler,

Dinalungan, Maria Aurora, Casiguran and San Luis; the southern portion of Quirino, particularly Nagtipunan; and the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, including Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu, Aritao and Bambang.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has activated government shelter clusters along Pepito's path to ensure that displaced residents receive financial assistance and find safe and dignified shelters.

Families fleeing the impact of Nika, Ofel and Pepito have swollen to 85,413 or 386,682 people seeking temporary shelter at evacuation centers in various regions.

Four Luzon dams have continued to release water amid Pepito's threat, according to PAGASA's HydroMeteorology Division.