‘Karen’ maintains strength; new LPA spotted off West PH Sea

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical Storm “Karen” has maintained its strength as it moved north northwest, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

Karen was spotted 660 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar  with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph as of 5a.m. It is forecast to move north northwest at 15 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Meanwhile, another low pressure area also monitored by Pagasa was spotted at the West Philippine Sea, located 240 km west of Zambales.

Occasional moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga and Caraga Regions which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of the country will have scattered light to moderate rains, Pagasa said.

In Metro Manila, it will be partly cloudy to cloudy with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest and Manila Bay will be slight to moderate.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail over Wednesday evening.