Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) continued to rapidly intensify while tracking west-southwest toward the Philippines on Saturday evening, Sept. 24.
Karding was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph, according to the 11 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
It noted that the cyclone may continue its rapid intensification in the near-term and may make landfall at or near peak intensity of 150 to 155 kph.
“While it is likely for this tropical cyclone to slightly weaken during its landfall and traverse of Central Luzon due to frictional effects, it is highly likely that Karding will remain a typhoon while crossing the landmass,” PAGASA pointed out.
Landfall possible on Aurora-Quezon area
Typhoon Karding was last seen 430 kilometes east of Baler, Aurora, and was moving west-southwestward at 15 kph.
PAGASA said Karding will move west-southwestward or westward in the next 12 hours before turning more westward toward the east coast of southern portion of Aurora or northern portion of Quezon, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday afternoon or early evening, Sept. 25.
“After crossing Central Luzon, the tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow late evening (Sept. 25) or Monday early morning (Sept.26). Karding will then continue tracking generally westward over the West Philippine Sea for the remainder of the forecast period,” PAGASA said.
Signal No. 4 may be raised
In anticipation of strong winds due to typhoon Karding, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over the northern portion of Camarines Norte and Polillo Islands.
Signal No. 2 was up in Metro Manila, southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, central and southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, eastern portion of Pangasinan, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Cavite, eastern portion of Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, northern and central portions of Quezon, the rest of Camarines Norte, northern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised over the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, southern portion of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the rest of Pangasinan, Zambales, the rest of Batangas, the rest of Quezon, northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, the rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, northern portion of Sorsogon, and Burias Island.
“Throughout the passage of Karding, winds may reach storm-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted, while winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted,” PAGASA said.
“ 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.
Based on the latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4, PAGASA said.
Parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, can expect up to torrential rains
PAGASA said moderate to heavy rains may beging affecting mainland Cagayan and Isabela by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Light to heavy rains may also affect Babuyan Islands, Aurora, northern portion of Quezon, including Polilio Islands, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
From Sunday morning until evening, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over Metro Manila, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, southern portion of Aurora, Rizal, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polilio Islands.
The rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, northern portion of Aurora, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, and the central portion of Quezon may experience moderate to intense rains, while Batangas, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes will have light to heavy rains.
For the rest of Sunday through Monday morning, heavy to torrential rains may prevail over Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan.
Meanwhile, moderate to intense rains are possible over Metro Manila, Quirino, the rest of Central Luzon, and Cavite.
Light to heavy rains may also affect Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, 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.