‘Betty’ slows, NCR on ‘Bravo’ Luzon feels ‘habagat’ winds; Metro Manila at moderate risk for flooding

By Rio N. Araja and Charles Dantes

TYPHOON “Betty” has slightly weakened and was moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, even as Metro Manila was on “Bravo alert” for the storm’s possible effects and 12 provinces remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 on Sunday.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also revealed yesterday that over 400 barangays in the National Capital Region are at risk of floods due to the expected combined effects of Betty (international name: Mawar) and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

The center of the typhoon, the country’s second this year, was estimated at 630 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

STORM WATCH. An officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Cagayan monitors the weather, sea conditions, and flood warning system in flooded areas in his part of Northern Luzon to ensure the quick and safe evacuation of residents affected by Typhoon Betty (inset), while in Batanes, Ivana Police personnel help residents reinforce the roof of their homes ahead of the storm grazing the province by Monday. AFP, PCG photos