6 provinces under Signal No.1 as ‘Santi’ approaches eastern Luzon

Project NOAH MTSAT image as of October 10, 2013, 11:32AM. Screengrab from https://noah.dost.gov.ph/

MANILA, Philippines – More provinces were placed under Signal No. 1 as tropical storm “Santi” (international name Nari) approached eastern Luzon midday Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the following areas were placed under Signal No. 1:

–          Catanduanes

–           Camarines Sur

–           Isabela

–           Aurora

–           Quezon

–           Camarines Norte

Aldczar Aurelio of Pagasa told INQUIRER.net that Santi, which is still over the Pacific Ocean, might develop into a typhoon.

It is forecast to make landfall in Aurora by Saturday afternoon.

The storm was last observed 350 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. It packed maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 120kph.

It was moving west northwest at 11 kph.

Aurelio said that if the storm continues to move westward, Metro Manila would also be affected by “Santi” by weekend.

Pagasa said moderate to heavy rains are expected within 400 kilometer-diameter of the storm.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Eastern Visayas, Pagasa said.