After an “explosive intensification,” tropical cyclone Karding (international name: Noru) has now become a super typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 over Polillo Islands in anticipation of strong winds due to the super typhoon.
Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the central and southern portions of Aurora, central and southern portions of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, eastern portion of Pampanga, northern portion of Metro Manila, northern portion of Rizal, northeastern portion of Laguna, northern portion of Quezon, and northern portion of Camarines Norte.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 was raised over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, the rest of Pampanga, the rest of Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, the rest of Laguna, the rest of Rizal, central portions of Quezon, the rest of Camarines Norte, northern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
Areas under Signal No. 1 were the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, southern portion of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of Quezon, northern portion of Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Islands, northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, the rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island, and Ticao Island.
Wind Signal No. 5 will be the highest wind signal that will be hoisted throughout the passage.
“During the passage of Karding, areas under Wind Signal No. 4 will experience winds peaking at typhoon-force strength, while winds may reach storm-force in strength within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted,” PAGASA said.
“Gale-force conditions are likely any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted, while strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is currently in effect,” it added.
PAGASA said that Signal No. 5 will be the highest wind signal that will be hoisted during the course of Karding.
Possible landfall over Aurora-Quezon area
As of 7 a.m., PAGASA said Karding was estimated at 230 kilometers (km) east of Infanta, Quezon, and was moving westward at 20 kph.
It will move west-southwestward or westward in the next six to 12 hours, then westward or northwestward for the rest of the day.
“On the forecast track, Karding will likely make landfall in the vicinity of the northern portion of Quezon or the southern portion of Aurora tonight (Sept. 25). The possibility of an earlier (Sunday afternoon) landfall or close approach in the vicinity of Polillo Islands is not ruled out,” PAGASA pointed out.
After landfall, Karding will cross Central Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea via the coastal waters of Zambales or Pangasinan.
According to PAGASA, frictional effects during landfall and passage over Luzon will lead to the gradual weakening of Karding but it is highly likely that it will remain a typhoon while crossing the landmass.
Several Luzon areas, including Metro Manila, can expect up to torrential rains
PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains may begin to affect Isabela, Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur on Sunday morning.
Light to heavy rains may also affect mainland Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, and the rest of Bicol Region.
From Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning, Sept. 26, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Aurora, Rizal, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.
Moderate to intense rains may also prevail over Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, central portion of Quezon, and Camarines Norte, while light to heavy rains may persist in Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, the rest of Quezon, and Bicol Region.
For the rest of Monday, heavy to torrential rains may continue in Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan.
Meanwhile, moderate to intense rains may persist in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and the rest of Central Luzon.
Light to heavy rains may also affect Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Oriental Mindoro, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
“Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.
It added that because of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible over Visayas and the rest of Southern Luzon, especially over the western sections.