PAGASA: Santi now a typhoon, Aurora under Signal 3

Tropical Cyclone Santi (Nari) strengthened into a typhoon even as Aurora province was placed under Storm Signal No. 3 early Friday, state weather forecasters said.

 

PAGASA, in its 5 a.m. advisory, said Santi continued to move towards the Aurora-Isabela area and was estimated at 340 km east of Baler, Aurora as of 4 a.m.

 

"Mamayang gabi o bukas umaga expect natin mag landfall sa Aurora-Isabela area. Tatawid niya hanggang Pangasinan (We expect it to make landfall over Aurora-Isabela Friday night or early Saturday. It will likely cross Central Luzon and exit at Pangasinan)," PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Santi may exit the Philippine area of responsibility Sunday afternoon, he added.

 

He added that if Santi makes landfall, it may affect Metro Manila.

 

In Metro Manila, he said rain may be light to moderate Friday morning, but may become heavy in the afternoon.

 

PAGASA said Santi packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, and is forecast to move west at 15 kph.

 

By Saturday morning, it is expected to be in the vicinity of Baler, Aurora. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 210 km west of Dagupan City.

 

On Monday morning, it is expected to be 580 km west of Baguio City.

 

Storm signals

 

Aurora was placed under Storm Signal No. 3. 

 

Under Storm Signal No. 2 are (14 areas):

 

 

Under Signal No. 1 are (17 areas):

 

 

PAGASA said Santi may bring rainfall of 7.5 to 30 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 500-km diameter.

 

It advised residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides.

 

Also, it warned those living in coastal areas under Signal 2 and 3 to be alert against storm surges.

 

"Sea travel is risky over the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and of Visayas," it said.

 

Friday outlook

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said Isabela, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Northern Quezon including Polilio Islands and Central Luzon may expect "stormy weather with rough to very rough seas."

 

It said Metro Manila, the rest of Calabarzon, Marinduque, Lubang Islands, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Southern Cagayan, Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines provinces will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas.

 

The rest of Luzon and Visayas will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms, while Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, it added.

 

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough, PAGASA said.

 

Dams

 

A separate report by dzBB's Manny Vargas said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is keeping watch over Magat Dam in Isabela.

 

The NDRRMC said it is not discounting the possibility of water levels at Magat reaching critical level.

 

Gale warning

 

PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with Typhoon Santi may affect the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and of Visayas.

 

"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.  — ELR, GMA News