Intermittent heavy rains and strong winds have been felt in the eastern portions of Northern Luzon, Bicol region, and Eastern Visayas as tropical storm “Ramon” (international name “Kalmaegi”) continues to crawl on the Philippine Sea towards Cagayan yesterday.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said Ramon barely moved from its position last Friday and was 420 kilometers north-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes before noon yesterday.
It has maintained maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Should it retain its current track, Ordinario said Ramon may make landfall over Cagayan, “most probably in Sta. Ana, Cagayan,” tomorrow morning.
Due to the expected landfall, tropical cyclone wind Signal No.1 is still raised over the eastern sections of Cagayan, particularly Sta. Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao, and Peñablanca; Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, and Dinapigue in Isabela; and Dilasag, Casiguran, and Dinalungan in Aurora.
Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains were felt over the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, and Romblon due to Ramon and the tropical storm-enhanced northeast monsoon or “amihan.”
PAGASA said gusty conditions due to the strong amihan also prevailed in Northern Luzon, Aurora, and Bicol, especially in coastal and mountainous areas.
Ordinario said Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over more areas in Northern Luzon today.
Today, light to moderate with occasional heavy rains would continue over the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela while light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will be felt over Apayao, Kalinga, northern Aurora, and the rest of Isabela and Cagayan.
Aside from tropical cyclone warnings, gale warnings are also in effect as sea travel remains risky, especially for small seacraft, over the seaboards of areas under Signal No. 1, coastlines of Northern Luzon, and the eastern coasts of Central and Southern Luzon due to rough sea conditions associated with Ramon and the amihan.
Ordinario said Ramon will likely remain inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the next four days.
After its forecast landfall tomorrow, Ordinario said Ramon may traverse Northern Luzon and exit the landmass via Ilocos Norte on Tuesday.
It is almost at the boundary of the PAR by Wednesday, and will already be outside the vicinity as a low-pressure area by Thursday, he added.
Meanwhile, Ordinario said the typhoon with international name “Fengshen” east of extreme Northern Luzon remains less likely to enter the PAR. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)
