‘Kabayan’ intensifies, storm signal 3 up in Isabela, Quirino, Aurora

State weather forecasters on Sunday afternoon raised public storm signal number 3 in Isabela, Quirino and northern Aurora as tropical storm Kabayan (international name: Peipah) continues to intensify and endanger northern and central Luzon area. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Mt. Province , Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, and the rest of Aurora are now under storm signal number 2. Meanwhile, signal number 1 is over Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, northern Quezon, and Polillo Islands. Pagasa warned residents in coastal areas under public storms warning signals against big waves generated by the storm. It also advised those living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take measures against possible flashfloods and landslides. Pagasa said Batanes Group of Islands would continue to experience strong winds with rough to very rough seas due to the surge of the northeast monsoon. As of 1 p.m, “Kabayan" was 160 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 240 km east northeast of Baler, Aurora. It is packed with maximum sustained winds of 105 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 135 kph. Kabayan is moving west southwest at 19 kph. It is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of northern Aurora, then cross northern Luzon by Sunday evening. By Monday afternoon, the weather disturbance is expected to be at 40 km east of Dagupan City, and 280 km West of Dagupan City by Tuesday afternoon. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV