Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) maintained its strength late Saturday, October 18, as it moved northwestward across mainland Bicol, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 11 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said the center of “Ramil” was estimated to be in the vicinity of Calabanga, Camarines Sur, as of 10 p.m. The tropical storm packed maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 110 km/h, moving northwest at 25 km/h.

Strong to gale-force winds extend outward up to 400 kilometers from the storm’s center, PAGASA said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over several areas in Luzon, including the southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue); the southeastern portion of Quirino (Nagtipunan, Maddela, Aglipay); the central and southern portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Bambang, Aritao, Kayapa, Santa Fe, Kasibu); the central and southern portions of Benguet (Itogon, Bokod, Atok, Kapangan, Tublay, La Trinidad, Baguio City, Tuba, Sablan); the central and southern portions of La Union (Rosario, Pugo, Tubao, Santo Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Naguilian, Burgos, Bagulin, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, Santol, Balaoan, Luna); the eastern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Umingan, Balungao, Santa Maria, Tayug, San Manuel, Asingan, Sison, Pozorrubio, Binalonan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Laoac, Manaoag, City of Urdaneta, Rosales, Villasis); Aurora; the eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Talavera, Rizal, Laur, Llanera, Pantabangan, Science City of Muñoz, Palayan City, Gabaldon, General Mamerto Natividad, Carranglan, General Tinio, San Jose City, Lupao, Bongabon, Talugtug); the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar), including the Polillo Islands; Camarines Norte; Catanduanes; the northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Sagñay, Tigaon); the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Manito, Tiwi, Malinao); and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon).

Areas under TCWS No. 1 include:

Luzon – Cagayan including Babuyan Islands; the rest of Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya; Apayao; Abra; Kalinga; Mountain Province; Ifugao; the rest of Benguet; Ilocos Norte; Ilocos Sur; the rest of La Union and Pangasinan; the rest of Nueva Ecija; the eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat); the eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona); the eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba); the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc); the eastern portion of Rizal (Rodriguez, Tanay, Baras, City of Antipolo); the northeastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Siniloan, Famy, Pangil, Pakil, Mabitac, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban); the rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon; Burias Island; and Ticao Island.

Visayas – Northern Samar; the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, San Policarpo, Oras, Arteche, Maslog); and the northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, San Jose de Buan).

PAGASA warned of minor to moderate threats to life and property in areas under Signal No. 2, while minimal to minor threats are expected in places under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA advised residents to remain alert for heavy rainfall, severe winds, and possible storm surges in areas within and near TS Ramil’s path.

Even localities outside the forecast track may experience adverse weather due to the storm’s broad circulation, PAGASA said.

Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible in areas under Signal No. 2, while minimal to minor impacts are likely in areas under Signal No. 1, the weather bureau added.

The trough and outer rainbands of Ramil are also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Marinduque, the Mindoro provinces, Masbate, and parts of Samar and Eastern Samar through Sunday, October 19.

PAGASA also warned of a 1- to 2-meter storm surge that may affect low-lying and coastal areas in Isabela, Ilocos, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Masbate within 36 hours.

Sea travel is risky due to rough to very rough seas, particularly along the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, with waves reaching up to 4.5 meters, PAGASA said. Small vessels and motor bancas are advised not to venture out to sea, it added.

According to PAGASA, “Ramil” will continue to move northwestward overnight, emerging over the waters near the Polillo Islands early Sunday, October 19. It may then make another landfall over Aurora by morning or early afternoon.

A possible shift in the track could bring landfall instead over northern Quezon or southern Isabela. After crossing Northern Luzon, Ramil is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Sunday evening and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday, October 20.

While slight intensification is possible before landfall, the storm may weaken slightly as it passes over the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA added that “Ramil” could re-intensify into a severe tropical storm once it moves over open waters.

Residents, especially those in flood- and landslide-prone areas, are urged to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders from local authorities.

Disaster risk reduction offices are also advised to take precautionary measures against the storm’s potential impacts.

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