MANILA, (PNA) — At least seven areas in Luzon are now under public storm warning signal no. 3 as typhoon “Santi” has intensified further as it continues to move towards Aurora-Isabela Area, the state weather bureau said on Friday.
In its update, PAGASA said that public storm warning signal no. 3 has been raised over Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya, Benguet and Nueva Ecija — winds of more than 100 kph up to 185 kph should be expected in at least 18 hours.
PAGASA said that 15 areas have been placed under storm warning signal no.2 (61-100 kph winds) namely La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. Province, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Northern Quezon and Polilio Island.
Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds), on the other hand, was hoisted over Metro Manila, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas,Laguna, Lubang Islands, Rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Provinces, Albay and Catanduanes.
“Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signals #3, #2 & #1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signal #3 and #2 are alerted against storm surges,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA said Santi may bring rainfall of 7.5 to 30.0 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 500-km diameter of the typhoon.
As of 10 a.m. the eye of the typhoon Santi was located at 240 km East of Baler, Aurora (15.3°N, 124.0°E).
Santi’s wind strength increase from 120 kph on Friday morning to 130 kph before noon while its gustiness also rose from 150 kph to 160 kph.
The typhoon is forecast to move west northwest at 15 kph
Weather Forecaster Alvin Pura said that Santi is expected to make a landfall over Aurora-Isabela Friday night or early Saturday.
With its present speed and movement, Santi may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Sunday afternoon.
The typhoon was forecast to be in the vicinity of Benguet by Saturday morning; 300 km northwest of Dagupan City by Sunday morning and expected to be at 640 km northwest of Baguio City by Monday morning.
In a separate interview, weather forecaster Jori Loiz said that the agency continues to monitor a tropical depression hovering off Pacific Ocean.
He noted that they expect the cyclone to enter the country either on Sunday or Monday.
Once it enters the Philippine territory, Loiz said it will be named “Tino.”
However, he noted that just like typhoon “Ramil,” it willonly stay briefly in the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and is not expected to hit the land in any part country.
“Inaasahan na sa may boundary lang ito ng PAR dadaan at lalabas din ito agad ng bansa,” Loiz said.
Earlier, PAGASA said it expects two to three cyclones toenter the country this month.