by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin
Tropical cyclone Karding (international name: Noru) intensified into a severe tropical storm, with Wind Signal No. 2 now raised over portions of eastern Luzon before Saturday noon, Sept. 24.
Karding further strengthened over the Philippine Sea, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.
It has maximum sustained winds of 90 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph, previously.
“This tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify into a typhoon prior to landfall over Central or Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.
Signal No. 2 was hoisted in the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue), the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag), and Polillo Islands.
Signal No. 1 was raised in the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, the northern and central portions of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, the northern portion of Batangas, Camarines Norte, northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur, and the northern portion of Catanduanes.
“Winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted throughout the passage of Karding. Strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is currently in effect,” PAGASA said.
“Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” it added.
Landfall seen in Isabela-Aurora area on Sunday
Karding was last seen 660 kilometers (km) east-southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 595 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, and was moving west-southwestward at 25 kph.
Karding is projected to move west-southwestward or westward while gradually accelerating toward the east coast of Isabela or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon, Sept. 25.
“After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, the tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow late evening or Monday early morning (Sept. 25). Karding will then continue tracking westward over the West Philippine Sea for the remainder of the forecast period,” it added.
Brace for heavy to intense rains
PAGASA said light to heavy rains may begin affecting Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.
For the rest of Sunday through early Monday morning, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the northern portion of Zambales.
Moderate to intense rains may also prevail over the rest of Central Luzon, while moderate to heavy rains may affect Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Metro Manila, and the rest of Isabela and Cordillera Administrative Region.
“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.
It added that because of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over the western sections, as early as Saturday
