‘Maring’ further intensifies

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 10:32 p.m., 18 August 2013

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical storm Maring (international name: Trami) further intensified late Sunday night and will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, the state weather bureau said.

The storm now packed maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said at 11p.m.

It will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms over Luzon particularly over the western section.

Moderate to heavy rains were also seen within Maring’s 300 km diameter.

The storm was last observed 530 kilometers east southeast of Itbayat Batanes and was moving at 7 kph. It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesdaymorning.

Red rainfall alert was issued by Pagasa at 9 p.m. in Metro Manila and nearby provinces as heavy to intense rains continued incessantly. It was expected to last for three hours.

Small seacraft were advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon due to the possible big waves generated by the enhanced southwest monsoon.