(Eagle News Service) – Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) has already made landfall over Eastern Samar around 8 p.m. Saturday, according to disaster scientist Mahar Lagmay.
Lagmay, who is also heads the Department of Science and Technology’s Project Noah, said in a tweet that based on what could be seen in Cebu Station Doppler, typhoon Ruby had already made landfall, past 8 p.m. Saturday, December 6.
“Based sa nakikita sa Cebu Station (400 km) Doppler, naglandfall na po ang bagyong Ruby sa Eastern Samar,” Lagmay said in a tweet.
But the country’s weather bureau said that there was no confirmation yet that typhoon Ruby had already made landfall as of past 8 p.m.
Lagmay later clarified that his tweet past 8 p.m., was only based on “radar interpretation.”
“Let’s wait for the official confirmation of PAGASA on the landfall. It is just based on the radar interpretation,” he said in a later tweet.
He explained that “Data other than radar needs to be considered.”
PAGASA earlier warned that Typhoon Ruby would make landfall Saturday evening in the vicinity of Dolores, Eastern Samar where storm winds, storm surges of up to 4.5 meters, and heavy to intense rainfall would be felt.
As of 5 p.m., typhoon Ruby was estimated at 190 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar. It had weakened slightly with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.
It is forecast to move west at 16 kph. By Sunday morning, it is forecast to be 50 kilometers east of Romblon, Romblon. By Monday morning, it is forecast to be 200 kilometers west of Ambulong, Batangas or 225 kilometers west northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
Typhoon Ruby is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday evening.
