PAGASA: Maring intensifies into tropical storm

(Updated 6:29 p.m.) Tropical cyclone Maring (Trami) intensified into a tropical storm Sunday afternoon, even as state weather forecasters warned of possible flash floods and landslides over Metro Manila and parts of Luzon in the next 24 hours.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Maring was estimated at 560 km east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Maring is forecast to move east-northeast at 7 kph, PAGASA said.

Maring may also make a U-turn and continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rain over parts of the country until Wednesday, state weather forecasters said Sunday.

PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said their models indicate Maring's movement is being affected by another weather system north of it.

"Expected natin mag-U turn ito, baka bumalik 'yan. Inaasahan natin hanggang Miyerkules si Maring sa Philippine area of responsibility," Loiz said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the interaction between Maring and the other cyclone is affecting Maring's eastward movement.

For the past several days, Maring had caused monsoon rain over parts of the country, including Metro Manila.

NCR floods

Floods hit Makati and Pasig Cities Sunday afternoon.

In Pasig City, the city public information office said that as of 4 p.m., floods went up to five inches at Pres. Quezon corner Sitaw Street in Barangay Manggahan.

As of 4:30 p.m., the corner of Elisco Road and Vicitacion in Barangay San Joaquin was flooded by four inches.

As of 4:32 p.m., Kenneth Road corner Sandoval Avenue in Barangay Pinagbuhatan was flooded by four inches.

As of 4:48 p.m., Market Avenue corner M. Eusebio Street in Barangay San Miguel was flooded by 1.5 feet.

In Makati City, flooded areas in Barangay Olympia included Malolos, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Fortuna St., Sta. Lucia, Calazans, and Trabaho.

The floodwater reached five inches, but the streets were passable to light vehicles.

Possible flash floods, landslides

PAGASA's 5 p.m. bulletin said Metro Manila, Ilocos, Calabarzon and Benguet, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro may expect monsoon rains that could trigger flash floods and landslides.

Mindanao, Western Visayas and the rest of Luzon will have "cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms," it added.

The rest of Visayas will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," PAGASA said.

Also, it said moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Rain over Cebu

PAGASA's extended forecast indicated Cebu may be cloudy with rain showers or thunderstorms on Monday.

Cebu is now the site of search operations for victims of a collision between the passenger ship MV Saint Thomas Aquinas 1 and the cargo vessel MV Sulpicio Express 7.

At least 37 have been confirmed dead in the wake of the accident as of Sunday afternoon. Some 82 are still missing.

Gale warning

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the southwest monsoon enhanced by Maring may affect the seaboards of Luzon.

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — LBG, GMA News