Signal No. 2 up over parts of Isabela, 2 other areas as Karding intensifies

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was raised on Saturday morning over parts of Isabela and two other areas as Karding intensified into a severe tropical storm, PAGASA said in its weather bulletin.

Areas under TCWS No. 2 are:

• the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue);
• the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag); and
• Polillo Islands.

TCWS No. 1 meanwhile was hoisted over the following areas:

• the southern portion of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Iguig, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Tuao, Piat, Amulung, Rizal);
• the rest of Isabela;
• Quirino;
• Nueva Vizcaya;
• the southern portion of Apayao (Conner);
• Abra;
• Kalinga;
• Mountain Province;
• Ifugao;
• Benguet;
• the southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, Banna, City of Batac, Currimao, Paoay, Marcos);
• Ilocos Sur;
• La Union;
• Pangasinan;
• the rest of Aurora;
• Nueva Ecija;
• Tarlac;
• Bulacan;
• Pampanga;
• Zambales;
• Bataan;
• Metro Manila; 
• the northern and central portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Lopez, Guinayangan, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Pagbilao, City of Tayabas, Lucban, Sampaloc, Mauban, Atimonan, Plaridel, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Lucena City, General Nakar, Real, Infanta);
• Rizal;
• Laguna;
• Cavite;
• the northern portion of Batangas (Malvar, Balete, City of Tanauan, Santo Tomas, Talisay, Laurel);
• Camarines Norte;
• northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur (Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, San Jose); and
• the northern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto).

PAGASA however said the highest TCWS that may be raised is No. 4, based on the latest track and intensity forecast.

At 10 a.m., the center of Karding was located at 660 km east southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan or 595 km east of Casiguran, Aurora.

It has maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa. 

Karding is moving west southwestward at 25 km/h.

PAGASA said Karding may make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon over Aurora or Isabela.

It added that Karding intensified into a severe tropical storm at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Karding is expected to further intensify into a typhoon prior to landfall over Central or Northern Luzon, and will highly likely remain a typhoon while crossing the landmass.

Rainfall

Starting Saturday night up to Sunday early morning, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are to be expected over Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur, PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, for the rest of Sunday up to Monday early morning, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains are forecast over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the northern portion of Zambales. Central Luzon will have moderate to heavy with at times intense rains, while Cagayan, Ilocos Provinces, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and the rest of Isabela and Cordillera Administrative Region will have moderate to heavy rains.

PAGASA said scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides may possibly occur especially in areas identified to be prone to these hazards and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.

Karding is also influencing the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), thus occasional rains may possibly be experienced starting Saturday or Sunday over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over their western sections.

Winds

From the center of Karding, strong to storm-force winds are extending outwards up to 250 km.

In areas under TCWS No. 2, winds may reach gale-force in strength throughout Karding's passage.

Meanwhile, areas under TCWS No. 1 will experience strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength).

Coastal waters

The seas may be moderate to rough (with waves up to 3.5 meters) over the seaboards of Northern Luzon on Saturday due to a preceding northeasterlies and Karding.

However, on Sunday, the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon will have rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 6.5 m).

"The aforementioned conditions are risky for most types of seacrafts. Mariners are advised to monitor for updates, take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions during the said period," PAGASA said.

Track, intensity

Karding is expected to move generally west southwestward or westward while accelerating gradually toward the east coast of Aurora or Isabela where it may make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon.

It will then cross Central or Northern Luzon, then emerge over the West Philippine Sea late Sunday evening or Monday early morning.

Karding will then continue going westward over the West Philippine Sea.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary measures to protect life and propery.

"Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials," the weather bureau said.

PAGASA will issue the next bulletin at 5 p.m. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Saturday for Karding.

The NDRRMC was also placed on red alert on Friday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on Saturday said they are ready for the possible onslaught of Karding.

Funds, relief goods, and family food packs have been prepared and prepositioned, they said.

Magat Dam in Northern Luzon meanwhile is set to open one of its floodgates at 12 noon Saturday to release excess water in preparation for rains due to Karding. —KG, GMA News