3 areas remain under Signal No. 1 as Carina maintains strength

Three areas remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Carina maintained its strength while moving "generally" westward, according to the latest PAGASA update on Monday morning.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said areas under TCWS No. 1 are Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, which covers Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, eastern Lal-lo, eastern Gattaran, and eastern Baggao.

Areas under TCWS No. 1 may experience "occasional gusts" due to the tropical depression, PAGASA said. Moderate to rough seas (1.2-3.1 m) will aslo be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon in the next 24 hours.

"Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea," PAGASA warned.

As of 7 a.m., Carina's center was estimated at 275 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. It was packing maximum winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h as it moved westward at 20 km/h.

"The center of Tropical Depression 'CARINA' is forecast to turn northwestward and move over the Luzon Strait, passing close to the northeastern portion of Cagayan and Babuyan Islands between tonight and tomorrow morning," PAGASA said, adding "a landfall scenario over these areas remains a possibility."

Carina is expected to weaken into a low pressure area on Wednesday.

Rainfall outlook

PAGASA also said moderate to heavy rains may be experienced in Babuyan Islands and the eastern section of mainland Cagayan and Isabela, while light to moderate "with at times heavy rains" may prevail over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.

It further warned that "[f]looding and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards."

Because of this, PAGASA advised disaster officials in the concerned areas to take appropriate measures and monitor the Rainfall or Thunderstorm Advisories or Heavy Rainfall Warnings of PAGASA Regional Services Divisions." —KBK, GMA News