Apart from Polillo Islands and the extreme northern portion of Quezon, three other areas in Luzon were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 as super typhoon Karding moves closer to the Philippine landmass.

In its 1 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Karding maintained its strength. Its eye was last spotted 115 kilometers (km) east northeast of Infanta, Quezon or 76 km east of Polillo Islands.

Karding has maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph), gustiness of up to 249 kph, and it is moving westward at 29 kph.

Wind signals

As of 2 p.m., the state weather bureau raised Signal no. 5 over Polillo Islands, the extreme northern portion of Quezon (northern and central portions of General Nakar, the northeastern portion of Infanta), the extreme southern portion of Aurora (Dingalan), the eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray), and the extreme southeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (the southeastern portion of General Tinio).

Residents of these areas were warned against typhoon-force winds within 12 hours which may bring “extreme threat” to life and property.

Signal no. 4. was also hoisted in Calaguas Islands, the southern portion of Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon, the northern portion of Metro Manila, the central and southern portion of Nueva Ecija, the rest of Bulacan, Pampanga, the northern and central portions of Rizal, the southeastern portion of Tarlac, and the extreme northern portion of Laguna.

Areas under this wind signal may also experience typhoon-force winds within 12 hours.

The state weather bureau likewise raised Signal no. 3 in the central portion of Aurora, the southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Nueva Ecija, the rest of Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, the rest of Metro Manila, the rest of Rizal, the northern and central portions of Laguna, the northern and central portions of Cavite, the rest of the northern portion of Quezon, and the northern portion of Camarines Norte.

These areas, according to PAGASA, may experience storm-force winds within 18 hours.

Signal no. 2, on the other hand, is currently in effect in 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, the central portions of Quezon, the rest of Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.

Meanwhile, areas placed under Signal no. 1 include the southern portion of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the southern portion of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of Quezon, the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, the rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island and Ticao Island.

Heavy rainfall and other hazards

Beginning Sunday afternoon, Sept. 25 until Monday morning, Sept. 26, super typhoon Karding will drench Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Aurora, Rizal, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands with heavy or sometimes torrential rainfall.

Due to the weather disturbance, the state weather bureau strongly warned the public to remain vigilant and alert against rain-induced hazards such as widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

“Karding will likely make landfall in the vicinity of the northern portion of Quezon or the southern portion of Aurora on Sunday evening, Sept. 25. The possibility of an earlier landfall or close approach in the vicinity of Polillo Islands is not ruled out,” it added.