Carina intensifies into typhoon, leaves Phl Thursday

Severe tropical storm Carina has intensified into a typhoon and is expected to maintain strength until it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

- BELLA CARIASO

In its 5 p.m. bulletin yesterday, PAGASA said the center of Typhoon Carina was located at 420 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, as it is slowly moving northnortheastward.

At a briefing, PAGASA senior weather specialist Benison Estareja added that heavy to intense rains are expected in many parts of the country as Typhoon Carina (international name Gaemi) continues to enhance the southwest monsoon.

"It is expected to further intensify in the next few days while it is in the northern Philippine Sea where the ocean is hot. Until it exits PAR early Thursday, it will maintain its typhoon category," Estareja said.

Almost the entire Luzon was affected by rains on Monday.

"Rains were also experienced in portions of Western Visayas, Negros Island Region. Rains also affected Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga peninsula," he said.

According to Estareja, Typhoon Carina is expected to be located 385 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan this morning, and by Wednesday morning it is expected to be around 360 kilometers southeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

There is a low possibility that Carina will make landfall.

He said the typhoon will bring strong winds in the eastern portion of Cagayan Valley, particularly eastern Isabela, eastern Cagayan, Babuyan Island and Batanes.

Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was hoisted in Batanes, eastern portion of mainland Cagayan including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of Isabela.

"In terms of rains, the southwest monsoon is mainly the cause of strong rains in many areas in the country," Estareja added.

He said orange or intense rains were experienced in Romblon yesterday while yellow or heavy rains were issued in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Aklan, Antique and Capiz.