‘Isang’ now a storm; Marikina River alert up

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 3:32 p.m., 17 July 2013

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical depression “Isang” strengthened late Wednesday afternoon into a storm that spawned rains in Metro Manila, triggering the water level in Marikina River to swell close to Alert Level 1, the state weather bureau said.

At 4 p.m., Tropical Storm (international codename: Cimaron) was moving northwest at 22 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It was last observed 210 kilometers northwest of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.

Public Storm Signal No. 1 (45-60 kph winds) was raised over:

• Ilocos Norte
• Calayan
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Batanes Group of Islands

“Isang” was forecast to exit Wednesday evening, and it would be about 700 km northwest of Aparri, Cagayan tommorow afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Marikina River water level was at 12.6 meters as of 2:20 p.m., the Marikina public information office posted in its Twitter account Wednesday.

Alarm Level 1 means at least 15 meters above sea level. In Alarm Level 2, the water is at least 16 meters above sea level which calls for “preparedness;” Alert Level 3 is 17 meters above sea level and calls for “evacuation;” while Critical Level is raised when the water is at least 18 meters above sea level and this calls for “forced evacuation.”

“Isang” enhanced southwest monsoon and brought moderate to heavy rains in parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Western Visayas, Pagasa said.

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