MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm “Karen” intensified as it moved northwestward, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.
As of 10 a.m., Karen was seen 620 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
The storm is packing maximum winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 90 kph, moving northwest at 15 kph.
Moderate to heavy rainfall was seen within the 550 km diameter of Karen.
Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao due to Karen.
By Thursday morning, Karen is forecast to be 770 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon; and 620 km east of Tuguegarao City; and 500 km east of Itbayat, Batanes by Saturday morning.