9 areas under Signal No. 2 as Maring intensifies, traverses West Philippine Sea

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted over nine areas on Tuesday as Severe Tropical Storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) slightly intensified as is now over the West Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin.

TCWS No. 2 is in effect over:

1. Batanes
2. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
3. northern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Gamu, Roxas, Mallig, Quezon)
4. Apayao
5. Kalinga
6. Mountain Province
7. Abra
8. Ilocos Norte
9. Ilocos Sur

TCWS Signal No. 1 meanwhile was raised over the following areas:

1. the rest of Isabela
2. Nueva Vizcaya
3. Quirino
4. Ifugao
5. Benguet
6. La Union
7. Pangasinan
8. Aurora
9. Nueva Ecija
10. Tarlac
11. Zambales
12. Pampanga
13. Bulacan
14. northern portion of Bataan (Samal, Morong, Dinalupihan, Abucay, Orani, Hermosa)
15. northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

On Tuesday, heavy to torrential rains are highly likely over Batanes, the northern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are highly likely over Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and the rest of Cagayan.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are likely over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

Scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are expected in areas susceptible to these dangers.

Gale-force to storm-force strength winds are expected within any of the areas under TCWS No. 2 while strong winds, strong breeze to near gale conditions, are expected in areas under TCWS No. 1.

Rough to high seas will be experienced over the seaboards of areas under TCWS Nos. 2 and No. 1, making the waters condition risky for all types of sea vessels. The weather bureau advised mariners to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.

Maring is expected to pass close to or over the islands in the Babuyan Archipelago and continue to move westward over the Luzon Strait and the West Philippine Sea.

It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday morning or afternoon.

Dams

Meanwhile, Ambuklao and Binga dams in Benguet had eight and six gates open, respectively, as of 6 a.m. Tuesday. -- BAP/KG, GMA News