Tropical storm “Luis” (international name Kalmaegi) further intensified
while at sea and moved closer to Northern Luzon, prompting the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) to raise storm warning Signal No. 1 over five
areas in the eastern section of Luzon before Saturday noon.
PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the storm was at 456
kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes mid-Saturday, packing
maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to
120 kph.
It is forecast to move west-northwest at 17 kph.
“If it maintains its present speed and track, ‘Luis’ is seen to make
landfall over Isabela early Monday morning then traverse the Ilocos
provinces toward the West Philippine Sea,” Aurelio said.
He said there is still a possibility that the storm will intensify into a typhoon before its landfall.
PAGASA hoisted Signal No. 1 over Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Quirino, and Catanduanes, as of Saturday noon.
These areas may experience winds about 30-60 kph and intermittent
heavy to intense rains in the next 36 hours – as from midday Saturday.
Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signal No. 1
should be on alert for possible flash floods and landslides due to the
storm, PAGASA advised.
Luis will be at 252 km north-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes by
Sunday morning and at 27 km west-southwest of Tuguegarao City by Monday
morning.
By Tuesday morning, it is expected at 421 km west-northwest of Laoag City.
It is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday, Aurelio said.
PAGASA said the combined effects of the storm and southwest monsoon
or “habagat” will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental
Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon,
Masbate, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and the entire Visayas.
Fishing boats and other small sea craft should not venture out into
the eastern coastlines of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to
rough seas and big waves generated by the weather disturbance.
