Tropical storm ‘Marce’ intensifies in West PH sea

This satellite image from Pagasa shows the current location of tropical storm Marce as of 11 a.m. Saturday.

Tropical Storm “Marce” (international name Tokage) has slightly intensified as it continues to traverse the West Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau has said.

In its weather bulletin released 11 a.m. Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Marce packed maximum sustained winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour (kph)—up from 65 kph—near the center and gusts of up to 95 kph.

The tropical storm was moving northwest at 15 kph and was last spotted at 335 km west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro at 10 a.m.

Pagasa said that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within the 400-km diameter of the storm.

While Pagasa has lifted all storm signals throughout the country, it continues to warn residents over the provinces of Isabela, Aurora and Quezon for possible flashfloods and landslides.

The weather bureau added that light to moderate showers may be experienced in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and portions of Zambales, Tarlac Pampanga, Rizal and Quezon which may persist in the next two hours. IDL

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