An update on the status of airports affected by tropical depression “Obet” was released by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
As of October 20, CAAP said that under Signal No. 1 alert, Basco Airport in Batanes cancelled PAL Express (GAP) flights 2932 / 2353 (Manila-Basco-Manila). Area Center 2 Manager Mary Sulyn A. Sagorsor further reported the following flight cancellations from Area Center 2 airports due to inclement weather: Cauayan Airport:- 5J 196 (Manila-Cauayan-Manila); Tuguegarao Airport: – 5J 504/505, 506/507 (Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila).
According to DOST-PAGASA, tropical depression “Obet” currently maintains its strength as it moves westward over the Philippine Sea east of extreme Northern Luzon; with a maximum sustained winds of 45km/hr, gustiness up to 55 km/h and central pressure of 1004 hPa.
“Obet” is forecast by PAGASA to gradually intensify and may reach tropical storm category by tomorrow evening or on Saturday early morning.
In line with this, CAAP airport managers remain on high alert and are closely supervising their respective airports; while situation reports are also continuously monitored and consolidated by the CAAP Operations Center (OPCEN). (JERRY S. TAN)
