Ramil keeps strength as storm exits Luzon; 11 areas under Signal No.2

Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) has kept its strength as it moves away from Luzon where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No.2 is up over 11 areas, according to PAGASA's Sunday afternoon bulletin.

As of 1 p.m., Ramil was located near Olongapo City, Zambales, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h, and gusts reaching 90 km/h. It is moving west northwestward at 15 km/h and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday.

Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over:

• Central and southern portions of Benguet (Itogon, Bokod, Atok, Kapangan, Tublay, La Trinidad, Baguio City, Tuba, Sablan)
• Central and southern portions of La Union (Rosario, Pugo, Tubao, Santo Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Naguilian, Burgos, Bagulin, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, Santol, Balaoan, Luna)
• Pangasinan
• Nueva Ecija
• Bulacan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Zambales
• Northern portion of Bataan (Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Morong, Pilar, City of Balanga)
• Northern and central portions of Metro Manila (Caloocan City, Quezon City, City of Valenzuela, City of Marikina, City of Malabon, City of Navotas, City of Pasig, City of San Juan, City of Mandaluyong, City of Manila, City of Makati, Pateros, Taguig City, Pasay City, City of Parañaque)
• Northern and western portions of Rizal ( Rodriguez, Teresa, City of Antipolo, San Mateo, Taytay, Cainta, Angono)

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over:

• Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• The rest of Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• The rest of La Union
• Aurora
• The rest of Bataan
• The rest of Metro Manila
• Quezon, including the Polillo Islands
• Laguna
• Cavite
• Batangas
• The rest of Rizal
• Occidental Mindoro, including the Lubang Islands
• Oriental Mindoro
• Marinduque
• Romblon
• Camarines Norte
• The western portion of Camarines Sur ( Del Gallego, Ragay, Lupi, Sipocot, Libmanan, Cabusao, Pasacao, Pamplona)
• Burias Island

PAGASA warned that even areas outside the storm’s direct path may still experience heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges. Coastal areas in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, and Occidental Mindoro may see surge heights of 1.0 to 2.0 meters within the next 24 hours.

“During its passage over the landmass, Ramil is expected to maintain its strength or slightly weaken due to frictional effects of mountainous terrain,” PAGASA said. Once over the West Philippine Sea, the storm may re-intensify into a severe tropical storm. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News