Pagasa: ‘Santi’ accelerates; thunderstorm alert up

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical storm “Santi” (international name Nari) slightly accelerated as it moved towards Aurora-Isabela area, the state weather bureau said Thursday afternoon.

As of 4 p.m., the storm packed maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It was forecast to move west at 15 kph.

The following areas were placed under Signal No. 1:

Catanduanes

Camarines Sur

Isabela

Aurora

Quezon

Polilio Islands

Camarines Norte

Pagasa warned residents in these areas against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Santi was forecast to be at 160 km east of Baler, Aurora by Friday afternoon, at the vicinity of Iba, Zambales by Saturday afternoon and 380 km west northwest of Iba, Zambales by Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a thunderstorm alert was issued for the areas of Rizal (Tanay, Binangonan), Bataan (Mariveles), Zambales (Cabangan, San Felipe), portions of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Batangas, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija at 5:20p.m.

The rains might persist within 2 hours, Pagasa said.

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