More areas under Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Storm Goring

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau placed three more areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Storm Goring (international name: Saola) slowly moves southwest toward Cagayan.

Based on the 5 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) added Batanes, the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island and Camiguin Island), and the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan) to the list of areas under TCWS No. 1  expecting strong winds and 50 to 100 millimeters (mm) of heavy rainfall.

Earlier, Pagasa raised TCWS No. 1 over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñblanca).

Pagasa warned of floods and landslides in affected areas.

Pagasa also said that Goring would “rapidly intensify” and may turn into a typhoon by Saturday “due to highly favorable environment.”

“It may reach its peak intensity on Sunday evening, after which it is forecast to maintain strength until the end of the forecast period. The potential for developing into a super typhoon is not ruled out,” Pagasa said.

Goring was packing maximum wind speeds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 90 kph as of the latest bulletin. Its center or eye was estimated at 220 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes.

READ: Tropical Depression Goring may intensify into super typhoon, warns Pagasa

“Meron tayong nasa 50 to 100 mm na dami ng ulan ngayon sa Batanes, Babuyan Islands, at northeastern portion ng mainland Cagayan. Inaasahan din po ang 50 to 100 mm o nasa light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela at magpapatuloy pa rin ang mga pag-ulan doon plus northern Aurora,” Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a report.

(We have 50 to 100 mm of rain today in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan. 50 to 100 mm or light to moderate, with heavy rains also expected over the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, and the rains will continue there, plus northern Aurora.)

Pagasa said Goring is anticipated to enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, and dump rain over parts of Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro on Saturday.

READ: LPA east of Cagayan is now Tropical Depression Goring, says Pagasa

Gusty conditions will also be experienced in Aurora, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region, Visayas, the Dinagat islands, and Surigao del Norte on Saturday and Sunday because of this.

Pagasa further said it spotted some cloud clusters east of Visayas, which may develop into a low-pressure area in the coming days.

kga/abc