Batanes remains under Signal No. 1 as Carina exits

Typhoon Carina, which is now outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), weakened further on Thursday as it crossed Taiwan but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes.

Carina, which became a super typhoon on Wednesday, has enhanced the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, bringing heavy rains to a large portion of Luzon and causing massive flooding.

In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said Carina is less likely to directly bring heavy rainfall over the country although Habagat is expected to bring heavy rainfall over Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Benguet.

From Thursday to Saturday, Habagat may also bring moderate to heavy rainfall over various localities in the western portion of Luzon.

Winds, coastal waters

Habagat is also expected to  bring strong to gale-force winds over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the eastern portion of Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Occidental, and Northern Samar from Thursday to Friday.

Batanes, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Marinduque, Romblon, and Kalayaan Islands may experience the same conditions on Saturday, PAGASA said.

A gale warning was also issued over the coastal waters of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and northwestern Cagayan.

“Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas,” PAGASA warned.

PAGASA said Carina and the southwest monsoon will also bring rough seas over the western seaboard of Central Luzon in the next 24 hours.

Moderate to rough seas are also expected over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon, the western seaboard of Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

“Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels,” PAGASA said.

Up to moderate seas are meanwhile expected over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, the western and eastern seaboards of Visayas, and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.

PAGASA advised owners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels to take precautionary measures. If possible, it advised them to avoid navigation under such conditions. —KBK, GMA Integrated News