What we know so far about Tropical Storm Ramil
The Philippines is facing another round of floods and heavy rains with Tropical Storm Ramil.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over 17 areas as Ramil continues to intensify while over the coastal waters of Quezon province.
Here’s what we know about the storm so far:
How strong is it?
According to PAGASA's update as of 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 19, Ramil is now over the Manila Bay with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kilometers per hour.
The storm made landfall over over the vicinity of Quezon Province this morning. Ramil will continue moving northwestward, traversing the Southern-Central Luzon landmass before emerging over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or Zambales this afternoon.
During its passage, Ramil is expected to maintain its strength or slightly weaken due to frictional effects of mountainous terrain.
However, PAGASA said that it is "highly likely" that it will re-intensify once over the West Philippine Sea and may reach severe tropical storm category while outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Several areas like Roxas City in Capiz, Samar, Antique, Iloilo, and more experienced severe flooding.
Hazards it could bring
PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto warned that residents in urbanized and low-lying areas have a high chance of experiencing flash floods and landslides.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 2 has been raised in the northern portion of Metro Manila (Caloocan City, Quezon City, City of Valenzuela, City of Marikina, City of Malabon, City of Navotas), the northern and central portions of Rizal (Rodriguez, San Mateo, City of Antipolo, Tanay, Baras), the northern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Siniloan) and the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (General Nakar, Calauag, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Mauban, Real, Infanta, Atimonan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Lopez), among others.
Impact of the wind in these areas may result in light to moderate damage to high risk structures and very light to light damage to medium-risk structures.
"In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities. Most banana plants, a few mango trees, ipil-ipil and similar types of trees are downed or broken," PAGASA said in its bulletin.
TCWS no. 1 has been raised in Cagayan, Isabela, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union, the rest of Bataan, the rest of Metro Manila, the rest of Quezon, the rest of Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, the northern part of Albay (City of Ligao, Oas, Libon, Polangui, Tiwi, Malinao), and Burias Island.
Ramil is expected to exit PAR on Monday afternoon.