Signal No. 1 up over parts of S. Luzon, Visayas–Pagasa

PAGASA-DOST MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 9 a.m., 24 May 2011

MANILA, Philippines — Signal number 1 has been raised over parts of Southern Luzon and Visayas after tropical storm “Chedeng” (international codename: Songda) intensified further as it continued to move towards the country, the state-run weather bureau said Tuesday.

In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 a.m., Chedeng was seen 540 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar packing maximum strong winds of 105 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 135 kph.

It is forecast to move west- northwestward at 17 kph.

Signal number 1 was raised over Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar where rains and gusty winds may be expected, Pagasa said.

Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas in these provinces under have been warned against possible flashfloods and landslides, Pagasa said.

The latest weather disturbance — the third to enter the country this year and the second storm to hit for this summer — is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao.

The rest of Visayas, Southern Luzon, and Mindanao will have cloudy skies and scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thundestorms, Pagasa added.

“Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over Mindanao and the rest of Visayas and Southern Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.”

“Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the east to Southeast with slight to moderate seas,” Pagasa said.

By Wednesday morning, Chedeng is forecast to be 330 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes and by Thursday morning is expected 210 km east Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora.

By Friday morning, the tropical storm is expected to be 70 km north of Aparri, Cagayan, the state-run weather bureau said.