LPA intensifies into cyclone Ramon

MANILA, Phillipines — The province of Eastern Samar and the eastern portion of Northern Samar were placed under tropical cylone warning signal No. 1 yesterday as Tropical Depression Ramon moved closer to the country.

Strong winds and intermittent heavy rains are expected over these areas within the next 36 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical wwetServices Administration.

PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren said Ramon could make landfall over Isabela-Aurora on Saturday.

The cyclone’s outer rain band, however, will bring light to moderate with occasional heavy rains over Bicol region, Northern Samar, Samar and Eastern Samar today.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will prevail over Romblon, Marinduque and Southern Quezon.

Tomorrow, light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may be experienced over Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands and Camarines Norte.

Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will prevail over Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Romblon, Marinduque and the rest of Bicol region and Quezon province.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Ramon was located at 670 kilometers east Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

It packed winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Ramon was moving west slowly.

Clauren said Ramon could intensify into a tropical storm in the next 48 hours.

PAGASA warned residents in areas along the path of Ramon to brace for possible flooding and rain-induced landslides.

It cautioned the public against traveling over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas due to prevailing rough sea conditions.

Ramon is the 18th cyclone to enter the country this year and the second this month.