‘Ramon’ intensifies, may make landfall in Cagayan

Tropical Storm “Ramon” (international name “Kalmaegi”) intensified further Friday morning while moving slowly as it moves closer to

Luzon landmass, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ramon was last spotted off 420 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 460 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

Ramon’s strength slightly intensified before dawn Friday and now packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

It also shifted its direction and now moving slowly north northwestward.

PAGASA weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said that due to the tropical storm’s change in direction, it is expected to make landfall in the northern tip of Cagayan between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

According to Ordinario, Ramon might stay within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) until Tuesday prior to its expected exit on Wednesday morning.

Storm warning signal No. 1

A tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 is still up in areas of Northern Luzon as of Friday including the eastern portion of Cagayan particularly in the municipalities of Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao and Peñablanca; eastern portion of Isabela particularly in Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan and Dinapigue, and in the towns of Dilasag, Casiguran and Dinalungan in Northern Aurora.

Winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour or intermittent rains may be expected in at least 36 hours on areas where the storm signal was raised.

Ordinario added that more areas in Northern Luzon may be placed under the storm warning signal once the tropical storm roars closer to the landmass.

Due to Ramon, PAGASA said light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may be experienced today, Saturday, over the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, while light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will prevail over Apayao, Northern Aurora and the rest of Isabela and Cagayan.

The agency advised residents in the affected areas to take precautionary measures, coordinate with their local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and to continue monitor for weather updates.

Ramon is also expected to further enhance the northeast monsoon or “amihan” which will bring gusty conditions over Northern Luzon.

Gale warning

Strong to gale force winds associated with amihan and Tropical Storm Ramon is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon particularly the coasts of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands.

A gale warning was also raised on the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon including the coasts of Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Island, Camarines Provinces, Catanduanes, eastern coast of Albay and eastern coast of Sorsogon.

Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected with wave heights reaching up to five meters.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves, PAGASA said.

Ramon is the country’s 18th tropical cyclone to enter PAR this year and the second this November.

PAGASA had earlier announced that at least two tropical cyclones are expected to hit the country this month.

Historical records showed that the Philippines gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually.

Another storm

Meanwhile, PAGASA also continues to monitor an active tropical cyclone with international name “Fengshen” seen outside the country.

The weather bureau said Fengshen has intensified to a typhoon category on Friday and was last found 2,415 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

It has maximum wind strength of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 135 kilometers per hour while moving west northwestward at 35 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA had earlier said that Fengshen is unlikely to enter PAR but it will continue to be monitored.