‘Karding’ slows down; changes track

Source: Pagasa / DOST

Tropical Storm “Karding” has slightly slowed down while it changed its course, the state weather bureau said midday Thursday.

The storm is now moving northwestward at a pace of 10 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Karding was last monitored 1,200 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, maintaining the same strength and speed of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph.

While it’s not expected to make landfall, Karding and a low pressure area spotted west of Northern Luzon may boost the southwest monsoon and will bring scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains over Northern and Central Luzon, especially over the western section, beginning Friday.

Residents of these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas, and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslide, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates, Pagasa said.

Sea travel continues to be risky over the western seaboard of Luzon. /jpv