Tropical Storm “Ramil” (international name: Fengshen) has moved over the West Philippine Sea after crossing Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Sunday, Oct. 19.
In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 19 issued at 5 p.m., PAGASA said the center of Ramil was estimated at 85 kilometers west-northwest of Iba, Zambales.
The agency said Ramil has a maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kilometers per hour.
The storm is moving west-northwest at 35 kilometers per hour, it added.
The state weather bureau noted that strong to gale-force winds extend outward up to 450 kilometers from the storm’s center.
Wind signals up
PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over the central and southern portions of La Union, western and central Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, the western portion of Pampanga, and the northern portion of Bataan.
Under Signal No. 2, PAGASA warned of gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h) that pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is up over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union and Pangasinan, Aurora, the rest of Bataan and Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, northern and central Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and the northern and western portions of Camarines Norte.
PAGASA said these areas may experience strong winds (39 to 61 km/h) that could result in minimal to minor impacts.
“Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the localities where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted,” it said.
Rain, coastal risks
According to the agency, heavy rains are expected over parts of Luzon and Visayas due to Ramil’s trough and outer rainbands.
It added that strong to gale-force gusts may occur in Caluya Islands, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas today, and over Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Camarines Norte and Sur, and Catanduanes by Monday.
PAGASA also warned of storm surges reaching 1.0 to 2.0 meters within 24 hours over low-lying or exposed coastal areas of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, and Occidental Mindoro.
“There is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge with peak heights of 1.0 to 2.0 meters within 24 hours,” it said.
Rough seas
PAGASA said a gale warning remains in effect over the western seaboard of Luzon, where sea travel is deemed risky for all types of vessels due to waves reaching up to 4.5 meters.
“All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside,” it stated.
Ramil’s track
Per PAGASA, Ramil will continue to move west-northwestward or northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning, Oct. 20.
“Ramil may re-intensify over the West Philippine Sea and is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category while outside the PAR region,” it added.
PAGASA urged local disaster offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property, and advised residents in high-risk areas to follow evacuation instructions from local authorities.
“Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials,” PAGASA said.