The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 over Polillo Islands and extreme northern portion of Quezon province as super typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) moved closer to northern Quezon-southern Aurora area before Sunday noon, Sept. 25.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Karding further intensified and had maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.
The center of the eye of Karding was last observed at 175 kilometers (km) east of Infanta, Quezon.
It continued to move westward at 20 kph.
Signal No. 5 raised
In anticipation of Karding’s strong winds, PAGASA raised Signal No. 5 over Polillo Islands and the extreme northern portion of Quezon province (northern and central portions of General Nakar and northeastern portion of Infanta).
Signal No. 4 was hoisted over Calaguas Islands, southern portion of Aurora, northern portion of Quezon, southeastern portion of Nueva Ecija, eastern and central portions of Bulacan, northeastern portion of Rizal, and extreme northern portion of Laguna.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 3 was in effect in Metro Manila, central portion of Aurora, southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the rest of Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, the rest of Rizal, northern and central portions of Laguna, northeasternn portion of Cavite, the rest of the northern portion of Quezon, and northern portion of Camarines Norte.
PAGASA also raised Signal No. 2 over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Cavite, Batangas, the rest of Laguna, 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.
“During the passage of Karding, areas under Wind Signal No. 4 and No. 5 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 in 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.
Possible landfall over Aurora-Quezon area
PAGASA said Karding will move westward within the next six to 12 hours, then west-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,” it pointed out.
After landfall, Karding will traverse the landmass of Central Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea via the coastal waters of Zambales or Pangasinan.
It is seen to continue its intensification and may make landfall at or near a peak intensity of 185 kph to 205 kph.
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.