Storm 'Linfa' threatens RP

MANILA, Philippines – A tropical storm over the South China Sea might enter the Philippine area of responsibility later today or tomorrow, bringing moderate to heavy rains over Northern and Central Luzon as well as Metro Manila this weekend, the state weather bureau warned yesterday.

Administrator Prisco Nilo of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said tropical storm “Linfa” is expected to enter Philippine territory later today or tomorrow based on the latest forecast.

“The tropical storm is expected to remain almost stationary but all models indicate that it’s going to move towards the Batanes-Taiwan area. It is expected to hit Batanes and compound the southwest monsoon or habagat,” Nilo said in a press conference at the Pagasa office in Quezon City.

The tropical storm will be given the local name “Feria” once it enters the country, he said.

Nilo said as the storm moves closer to Batanes, it is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over some parts of Northern and Central Luzon as well as in Metro Manila and other areas in the western section of Luzon this weekend.

As of 2 a.m. yesterday, Linfa was spotted 400 kilometers west of Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to remain quasi-stationary over the South China Sea.

“The way it is moving right now, mabagal (slow), it might enter the country later on Saturday or Sunday. It is likely to move northeast based on all models,” Nilo said.

“It may directly hit Batanes and the surrounding areas. It is possible that it will make landfall over Batanes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nilo said Pagasa is monitoring another active low pressure area some 510 kms northeast of Basco, Batanes.

“The other weather disturbance, is over the Pacific Ocean, although it has a chance to develop (into a tropical cyclone), it will be moving out of the country and will not directly hit any part of the country,” Nilo said.

Pagasa warned the public of big waves on the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon due to the surge of the southwest monsoon associated with cyclone Linfa.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger seacraft have been warned of big waves,” Pagasa said.