‘Carina’ makes landfall in Cabutunan point

MANILA, Philippines –  (Updated 3:15 p.m.) After intensifying into a severe tropical storm, Carina (international name: Nida) has made landfall over Cabutunan Point and is now traversing northern Cagayan, PAGASA said Sunday afternoon.

“Carina is expected to exit the northwestern part of Cagayan tonight,” the weather bureau said in its 2 p.m. advisory.

PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 over 10 Northern Luzon provinces: Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Abra and Cagayan including Babuyan Group of Islands.

Meanwhile, eight areas were under Signal No. 1. These are: Batanes Group of Islands, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Aurora.

“Areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Nos.1 and 2, the rest of Central and of Northern Luzon and the provinces of Quezon and Camarines Norte are alerted against moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides,” the weather bureau said in its advisory.

As of 1 p.m., PAGASA said Carina was at 70 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (17.9°N, 122.3°E) with  maximum sustained winds of up to 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. It is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall within the 500-km diameter of the storm.

Due to this, fisherfolk are warned against rough to very rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon

Meanwhile, Palace spokesman Martin Andanar said in a media briefing over government radio that government aid is on standby in the Ilocos and Cagayan regions. He said family food packs are already stockpiled for eventualities.