Signal No. 1 up over parts of Luzon as ‘Falcon’ continues to bring rain

PAGASA-DOST MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 3 a.m, 24 June 2011

MANILA, Philippines — Storm signals have been raised over parts of Luzon as Tropical Storm “Falcon” (international name: Meari) continued to move over Philippine waters, the state-run weather bureau said Thursday.

In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Falcon was seen 250 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes still packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of
up to 80 kph.

Falcon has maintained its course and speed and was forecast to move west northwestward at 19 kph.

Signal No. 1 has been raised over Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Cagayan and the island groups of Calayan, Babuyan, and Batanes.

“Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” Pagasa warned.

Falcon is likewise expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Pagasa said.

By Friday morning, Falcon is expected to be 150 km east northeast of Tuguegarao City and by Saturday morning, it is forecast to be 170 km north northwest of Basco, Batanes.

The tropical storm is forecast to be 600 km north of Basco, Batanes or 130 km north of Taiwan by Sunday morning, Pagasa said.