Typhoon ‘Karen’ intensifies as it moves away from PH

Typhoon “Karen” (international name: Sarika) slightly intensified on Sunday afternoon as it moved away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the state weather bureau said.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Karen packed maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph.

Karen was last plotted at 260 km west northwest of Iba in Zambales, as it moved west northwest at 24 kph.

All tropical cyclone warning signals have  been lifted.

Pagasa said moderate to heavy rainfall was expected in areas within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon.

Karen was expected to leave PAR on Sunday evening, while another typhoon which will be named “Lawin” (international name: Haima) was located at 1,535 km east of Visayas and expected to enter the eastern boundary of the PAR on Monday afternoon./rga