Pagasa: Karding intensifies; may hit land as severe tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm Karding slightly intensified as it continues to move west, the state weather bureau said in its update on Friday afternoon.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Karding was last seen 970 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It is moving west at a speed of 15 kph.

No tropical cyclone warning signals have been raised as of now, but Pagasa’s forecast track as of now predicts that Karding would slightly dip south as it continues its approach toward Cagayan Valley.

By Sunday morning, Karding is expected to be 235 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora — during which time the cyclone is believed to have intensified as a severe tropical storm already.

Karding will then hit land by Sunday afternoon, moving into the vicinity of San Mariano town in Isabela.

It would cross the Luzon landmass and emerge over the West Philippine Sea by late Sunday night or early Monday morning, still as a severe tropical storm. Karding will then accelerate and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday afternoon.

Despite the lack of a tropical cyclone warning signal, Pagasa warned the public that light to moderate rains, with at times heavy rains, may be felt already in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora as early as Saturday.

From Sunday to Monday morning, Pagasa said heavy to intense rains may persist over the northern portion of Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Moderate to heavy rains with, at times, intense rains will still be felt over Cagayan, Ilocos Provinces, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the northern portion of Zambales, and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

During the same period, light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains would be experienced over the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. However, Pagasa noted that the cyclone also intensifies the southwest monsoon or habagat, which may bring rains over Metro Manila and parts of Visayas.

Pagasa advised residents in hazard areas, or those susceptible to landslides and flash floods, to monitor updates from the local government units and the weather bureau.

“Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. In addition, persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials,” Pagasa said.

“For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local Pagasa Regional Services Division,” it added.

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‘Karding’ intensifies into tropical storm

JPV