Signal No. 2 still up over 9 areas as Maring nears exit

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was still raised over nine areas in Luzon even as Severe Tropical Storm Maring made its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Tuesday, state weather bureau PAGASA said the following areas are still under Signal No. 2:

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• the northern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Gamu, Roxas, Mallig, Quezon)
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Abra
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur

Meanwhile, Signal no. 1 was raised over the following areas:

• The rest of Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Tarlac
• Zambales
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• the northern portion of Bataan (Samal, Morong, Dinalupihan, Abucay, Orani, Hermosa)
• the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Casualties

At least nine people were reported killed in the aftermath of Maring, according to the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report.

Aside from the nine reported fatalities, which the NDRRMC is still validating, 11 others were reported missing due to Maring.

Most of the casualties were due to landslide incidents.

Track, intensity outlook

PAGASA said Maring will continue to move westward over the West Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period, and is expected to exit PAR within the day.

As of 10 a.m., Maring's center was at 315 km west of Calayan, Cagayan. It has maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and central pressure of 975 hPa.

Maring is moving westward at 20 km/h, with strong winds or higher extending outwards up to 850 km from the center, PAGASA said.

Heavy rainfall

PAGASA said heavy to intense rains are highly likely over Ilocos Region, Benguet, Ifugao, Abra, and Mountain Province, while moderate to heavy rains are highly likely over Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains, meanwhile, may be experienced in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and the rest Central Luzon, while monsoon rains are possible over Western Visayas, MIMAROPA, and CALABARZON in the next 24 hours due to the Maring-enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

Storm surges and other hazards

PAGASA warned that a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge reaching up to one meter in height may occur in the next 24 hours.

Thus, rising sea water along with the high waves from the shoreline moving inland may cause flooding in the low-lying coastal localities of Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA said rough to high seas (2.8 to 7.5 m) are expected over the seaboards of areas where TCWS no. 2 and no. 1 are in effect in the next 24 hours, where the said conditions are risky for all types of sea vessels.

Mariners are thus advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.

PAGASA added that a gale warning is in effect for the western seaboard of Central Luzon (not under any TCWS), the seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas, and the western, eastern, and northern seaboards of Mindanao due to the influence of Maring and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

Moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 2.5 m) will prevail over the remaining seaboards of the country, where the conditions will be risky for those using small seacraft.—KBK, GMA News