Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over the eastern portion of Isabela and northern portion of Aurora on Friday evening, Sept. 23, as storm Karding (international name: “Noru”) inched closer to the country, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Areas that were placed under Signal No. 1 were Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue, Maconacon, San Mariano, and Iligan City in Isabela province and Casiguran, Dilasag, and Dinalungan in Aurora province.

“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,” PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. bulletin.

“Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 3. However, with the possibility that Karding will reach typhoon category shortly before making landfall, the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 4 in some areas over the eastern section of Northern or Central Luzon is not ruled out,” it added.

Karding was last seen 895 kilometers (km) east of Northern Luzon, and was moving west-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).

It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

PAGASA said Karding will move westward while gradually accelerating toward the east coast of Isabela or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon, Sept. 25.

After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon throughout Sunday, Karding will emerge over the West Philippine Sea by late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, Sept. 26.

Brace for heavy to intense rains

PAGASA said light to heavy rains may begin to affect Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora by Saturday evening, Sept. 24.

By Sunday, heavy to intense rains may prevail over the northern portion of Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan, while moderate to intense rains may affect mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the northern portion of Zambales, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region.

Light to heavy rains may also affect the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, 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 also said that because of the southwest monsoon or habagat that is partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible beginning Saturday evening or Sunday over most of Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, especially over the western sections of these areas.