Photo from Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 1 may be raised as early as Friday night as Tropical Storm Karding is seen to hit the country’s landmass this weekend, the state weather bureau said in its latest weather bulletin.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said TCWS No. 1 may be hoisted over parts of Northern and Central Luzon tonight, September 23. It also said that up to TCWS No. 3 may be declared in certain areas as Karding accelerates towards Luzon.
Pagasa said that Karding will likely make landfall on Sunday, September 25, in Isabela province.
“Possible as early as tonight, magkakaroon tayo ng Signal No. 1 over the eastern portion of northern and central Luzon,” said Pagasa weather specialist Raymond Orindario in a press briefing.
(It is possible that as early as tonight, we will raise Signal No. 1 over the eastern portion of Northern and Central Luzon).
“Then most likely pwede tayo magtaas ng Signal No. 2 habang lumalapit, then hindi natin inaalis ‘yung possibility na magtaas pa tayo ng Signal No. 3,” Ordinario added.
(Then most likely, we will raise Signal No. 2 as it approaches, and we have not removed the possibility that we will raise Signal No. 3).
Karding was last located 1,085 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
According to Ordinario, Karding will possibly influence the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” and bring rain over Southern Luzon and the Visayas.
Meanwhile, Weather Facilities Specialist Edgar Dela Cruz said the Magat Dam will likely spill over due to the approaching tropical storm since it is located in Isabela province.
He said that general flood advisories have already been issued to Central Luzon, Bicol Region, and the Eastern Visayas Region, and more advisories may be expected to come.
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