The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration raised tropical cyclone warning signal No. 2 in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur as tropical storm “Karen” (international name “Sarika”) continues to intensify and move towards the two provinces yesterday.
As of 11 a.m. yesterday, Karen was 260 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of up to 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, moving slowly west-northwest at nine kph.
Estimated amount of rainfall within the 400-kilometer diameter of the tropical storm is moderate to heavy.
Signal No. 1 is up in Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon, including Polillo Island, Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Laguna, Rizal, Marinduque, Burias Island, and Northern Samar.
Signal No. 1 was expected to be raised in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Nueva Vizcaya yesterday afternoon.
Weather forecaster Benison Estareja said Karen is expected to make landfall in Aurora or Quezon tomorrow morning.
Karen is expected to be 85 kms north-northeast of Virac this morning and within the vicinity of Baler, Aurora tomorrow morning. Heavy rains are expected in Luzon and parts of the Visayas as Karen traverses Central Luzon.
Karen, which is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday, is the 11th storm to hit the Philippines this year and the third this month. (Chito A. Chavez)