Signal No. 2 still up over parts of Pangasinan, Zambales as Karding moves further away from Luzon

The Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) over parts of Pangasinan and Zambales went down from No. 3 to 2 as Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) moved further away from Luzon on Monday morning, PAGASA said.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said the center of the eye of Karding was last spotted at 190 kilometers west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 170 km/h, and central pressure of 970 hPa.

Placed under TCWS No. 2, where gale-force winds could lead to minor to moderate threat to life and property within 24 hours, were the following areas:

• the western section of Pangasinan (Bolinao, Bani, City of Alaminos, Anda, Sual, Labrador, Mabini, Agno, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Bugallon, Lingayen, Aguilar); and
• the northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba).

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1, where strong winds could result in minimal to minor threat to life and property in the next 36 hours, was raised over these areas:

• La Union;
• the rest of Pangasinan;
• the southern portion of Benguet (Sablan, La Trinidad, Itogon, Baguio City, Tuba, Kapangan, Tublay);
• the rest of Zambales;
• the northern portion of Bataan (Bagac, City of Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Morong, Orani, Hermosa, Dinalupihan);
• Tarlac;
• Pampanga; and
• the western portion of Nueva Ecija (Cabiao, San Isidro, Jaen, San Antonio, Lupao, Science City of Muñoz, Santo Domingo, Talavera, Aliaga, Zaragoza, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Nampicuan, Guimba, Licab, Quezon),

Karding's present movement is west northwestward at 30 km/h, PAGASA said. It has strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 270 kilometers from the center.

Track, intensity

PAGASA said Karding is forecast to continue tracking generally westward over the West Philippine Sea towards Vietnam and will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday night.

It is also seen to slightly weaken or maintain its strength in the near term as it begins to move away from the landmass of Luzon.

A period of re-intensification may occur beginning Monday night or early Tuesday morning as Karding moves over the West Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau added.

Rainfall

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are expected over Zambales, Bataan, and Lubang Islands, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over the western portion of Pangasinan until noon of Monday.

Due to this, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible in the mentioned areas, PAGASA warned.

Occasional to monsoon rains are also still possible in the next 24 hours over the western sections of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas, especially as the rainbands of Karding moves further away from the landmass.

Coastal waters

A marine gale warning would remain in effect over the western seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon due to Karding.

In the next 24 hours, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon may also bring moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.0 m) over the western seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

PAGASA further warned that these conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts, while mariners were advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea or avoid navigating in such conditions.

Classes, flights, dams

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the suspension of classes in public schools and work in government offices in several areas across the country on Monday due to Karding.

Airport authorities also announced the cancellation of some flights for Monday, September 26, 2022, due to bad weather.

Two Luzon dams —Ipo in Bulacan and Magat in Ifugao and Isabela — meanwhile still had one floodgate open each on Monday morning to release water after Karding dumped heavy rains as it passed through the landmass.

During a situation briefing with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday morning, Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. said 4,606 people or 1,208 families in 57 barangays were affected by Karding.

He also said 13 domestic flights and "some" international flights were suspended. He added that 43 ports suspended trips and 2,882 passengers were stranded.

Around P83 million worth of assorted drugs,  medicines, medical supplies, and other commodities have been prepositioned in different regions from the Department of Health, Faustino said. —Giselle Ombay and Joviland Rita/KBK/KG, GMA News