MANILA, Sept. 18 (PNA) – More areas in Luzon were placed under public storm warning signals as tropical storm “Mario” maintained its strength while continuing to move toward Northern Luzon Thursday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Cagayan, including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, and northern Isabela are now under public storm warning signal No. 2 which indicates winds of 61 to 100 kilometers per hour coming in at least 24 hours.
Meanwhile, storm warning signal No. 1 (winds of 30-60 kph expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over Catanduanes, the rest of Isabela, northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte and Batanes Group of Islands.
“These areas are expected to have gusty winds with moderate to occasionally heavy rains,” PAGASA said.
It warned residents under public storm warning signals against possible flash floods and landslides due to heavy rains.
The estimated rainfall amount is from 7 to 20 millimeters per hour (heavy to intense) within the 350-km diameter of the storm.
PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier told the Philippines News Agency that as of 4 p.m. Thursday, the center of tropical storm “Mario” was estimated based on all available data at 576 km east of Infanta, Quezon (14.9°N, 127.0°E) packed with maximum winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
He said the storm continues to move west-northwest at 26 kph. If it maintains its speed and movement, he said “Mario” is expected to make landfall in northern Cagayan by Friday afternoon.
He also said that since it is still in the sea, it may yet intensify into typhoon category.
Javier said the combined effects of the storm and the southwest monsoon will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides.
He added that due to the outer rain cloud band of the storm, the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms while the rest of Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
He also said that fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
The storm is expected to be at the vicinity of Sta. Ana, Cagayan by Friday afternoon and Calayan Group of Islands by Saturday afternoon.
By Sunday afternoon, it is expected to be at 421 km north-northeast of Basco, Bataness.
Javier said storm “Mario” is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday evening or Monday morning, heading toward Taiwan.
Meanwhile, due to the tropical storm, the state weather bureau issued a yellow rainfall warning in the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Guimaras and Aklan, and northern portions of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental at around 5 p.m. Thursday.
Residents of the above-mentioned areas were advised to take precautionary measures.
Under the heavy rainfall warning system, a yellow rainfall advisory is raised when the expected rainfall amount is between 7.5 mm and 15 mm within one hour and likely to continue.
Flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas are possible, the agency said. (PNA)