“Karding” has been elevated as a severe tropical storm, moving 475 kilometers (km) east of Casiguran, Aurora, based on the 5 p.m. weather bulletin on Saturday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Karding” continued to move west wouthwestward at 25 km per hour (kph), has maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
From Saturday night to early Sunday morning, PAGASA forecasts light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
“Due to the southwest monsoon partly influenced by “Karding”, occasional rains are also possible beginning today (Saturday) or tomorrow over most of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, especially over their western sections,” PAGASA said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted over the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, Jones, San Agustin, Echague, San Guillermo, San Mariano); southeastern portion of Quirino (Nagtipunan, Maddela); southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda); eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Bongabon, Laur, Palayan City, General Tinio, Gabaldon, Pantabangan, Rizal); Aurora; eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray); eastern portion of Rizal (Rodriguez, City of Antipolo, Tanay); eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Cavinti); northern and central portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Polillo Islands, Infanta, Real, Mauban, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan); and northwestern portion of Camarines Sur (Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot); and Camarines Norte.
Winds greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph may be expected in the areas in at least 24 hours, which may cause light to moderate damage to high-risk structures.
Aurora has suspended classes province-wide in all levels on Monday.
On the other hand, Signal No. 1 is up over the southern portion of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Iguig, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Tuao, Piat, Amulung, Rizal); rest of Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya; southern portion of Apayao (Conner); Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet; southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, Banna, City of Batac, Currimao, Paoay, Marcos); Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan; rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Cavite, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, and Marinduque; northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Lubang Islands, Paluan, Abra de Ilog); and northwestern portion of Oriental Mindoro (San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, City of Calapan, Baco).
For the rest of Sunday until early Monday morning, there may be heavy to intense at times torrential rains over Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and the northern portion of Zambales.
Within the same period, there may be moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over the rest of Central Luzon; and moderate to heavy rains over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Provinces, La Union, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon.
Police units on alert
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has placed all units and stations on high alert.
“Tulong-tulong tayo sa paghahanda sa banta ng masamang panahon (Let’s help prepare for the threat of bad weather). This is the time that we unite as one country to battle the wrath of another weather disturbance. Our personnel are now strategically deployed to exercise vigilance in hazard-prone areas,” Azurin said in a statement.
He added they are in close coordination with concerned government agencies to activate communication lines and smoothly execute preemptive measures while their response and rescue units are mobilized to immediately proceed to areas where help is needed.
“We ask residents living in danger zones to adhere to calls for evacuation whenever necessary,” he said. “We ask everyone to stay safe and take heed the instructions that will veer you away from harm.” (PNA)
