Typhoon or no, Games are a go
Credit to Author: Jean Russel V. David| Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2019 16:18:38 +0000
There will be no changes in the schedule of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which opens today, despite an approaching typhoon.
“Tisoy” (international name: “Kammuri”) is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with 140-kilometer-per-hour winds either on Saturday evening or early Sunday.
There are concerns that the typhoon could disrupt some events, but Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara on Friday said the Games would go on as scheduled.
“I have talked to all the competition managers, and they are prepared for any contingency. Everything is in place,” he said during a news briefing held at the Main Press Center in Clark, Pampanga on Friday.
The typhoon was last spotted on Friday 1,470 kilometers east of Southern Luzon outside the PAR.
It will be the 20th tropical cyclone to enter the PAR this year.
Suzara said the Games committee is ready for any delays, suspension and even cancellation to ensure the safety of the athletes, officials and supporters.
“What is important now is that we are prepared in case the competitions are canceled for a few hours, or one day or force majeure,” he added.
Any changes in the competition format will be dealt in accordance with international regulations, Suzara said.
The Games will officially open today, November 30, at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Tisoy was moving slowly in a northwest direction.
It is expected to make landfall in Virac, Catanduanes on Tuesday, but Alert Signal 1 could be raised as early as Sunday over the eastern portion of the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas on Sunday.
Pagasa weather specialist Chris Perez said Tisoy’s radius stretches 300 to 400 kilometers from its center to its outer rainbands.
It is expected to to bring rains and gusts to Northern Luzon and the Visayas, and alert signals of up to Signal 3 to 4 could be raised.
“Even though the center of the typhoon would traverse Southern Luzon, its vast radius will affect some parts of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon in General, parts of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visays, Central and Western Visayas,” Perez said.
He said it is not likely that Tisoy could strengthen into a super typhoon.
Signal No. 3 may be up in Metro Manila and Regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Most of Central Luzon, Bicol, Southern Luzon and Metro Manila will experience strong winds and heavy to intense rains on these days.
WITH DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ AND FRANZ LEWIN EMBUDO