Bicol region on red alert as Super typhoon Karding looms

LEGAZPI CITY – Local officials placed the entire Bicol region on red alert status since Saturday as Super Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) triggered rainfall in many parts of Luzon.

Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)  – Bicol chief, said the Emergency Operation Centers were activated to ensure that appropriate response measures are undertaken.

Yucot advised all local disaster officials to evacuate residents living in high-risk villages while reiterating the practice of hygiene measures for COVID-19 in evacuation centers.

Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD Bicol spokesperson, said that as of 8 a.m., the Philippine Coast Guard – Bicol reported that 571 passengers were stranded in various ports in the region.

At least 89 rolling cargoes, 15 fishing vessels and four motor boats were also stranded.

In its 8 a.m. typhoon update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that “Karding” reached super typhoon category at 5 a.m. after a period of explosive intensification of 90 kilometers per hour (kph) in 24 hours.

The center of the eye of “Karding” was spotted some 230 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness of up to 230 kph.

“It is forecast to continue intensifying and may make landfall at or near a peak intensity of 185-205 [kph],” Pagasa said.

Tropical cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 has been raised over the the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, Paracale, Jose Panganiban and Capalonga.)

TCWS No. 2 was raised over the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Libmanan, Pamplona, Pasacao, San Fernando, Pili, Minalabac, Ocampo, Tigaon, Cabusao, Magarao, Gainza, Canaman, Camaligan, Milaor, Naga City, Bombon, Calabanga, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Caramoan and Sagñay), Catanduanes and the rest of Camarines Norte.

TCWS No. 1 is up over in Albay, Sorsogon, the rest of Camarines Sur, Burias and Ticao Islands.

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