‘Ramon’ now a storm; Signal 2 in 4 provinces

MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 4 p.m., 11 October 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Storm Signal No. 2 has been raised over six provinces and islands as the weather Tropical Depression “Ramon” intensified into a tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Tuesday afternoon.

In its latest weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m., Pagasa said that Ramon was seen 180 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, and was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center with gusts of up to 80 kph.

Ramon was forecast to move northwestward at 17 kph and continues to threaten the eastern Visayas and northeastern Mindanao.

Signal No. 2 has been raised over Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island and Eastern Samar.

Signal No. 1 was raised over Masbate, Ticao Island, Romblon, Sorsogon, northern Leyte, Biliran Island, Bohol, Cebu, Northern Negros, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Panay Island, Guimaras Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin Island.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas where signal warnings had been raised were warned against possible flashfloods, landslides and storm surges. Likewise, those living along coastal areas were alerted against possible storm surges caused by the storm, Pagasa said.

“Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 to 30 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within the 400-km diameter of the tropical storm,” the state-run weather bureau said.

By Wednesday afternoon, Ramon is forecast to be 70 km north of Maasin, Southern Leyte, and by Thursday afternoon in the vicinity of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. By Friday afternoon, Ramon is forecast to be 200 km west of Iba, Zambales, Pagasa said.