Storm Ramil makes landfall in Sorsogon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) made landfall in the coastal town of Gubat, Sorsogon yesterday, bringing strong winds and heavy rains across parts of Luzon and the Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG­ASA) reported.

At around 4:10 p.m., Ramil’s center was located over the coastal waters of Gubat, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. It was moving westward slowly, with gale-force winds extending up to 400 kilometers from the center.

PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over parts of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, northern and eastern Camarines Sur, eastern Albay, northeastern Sorsogon and the northern portion of Northern Samar.

These areas may experience gale-force winds within 24 hours, posing minor to moderate threats to life and property.

Signal No. 1 is also in effect over wide portions of Northern and Central Luzon – including Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the Ilocos Region, Cordillera provinces and parts of Central and Southern Luzon – as well as Samar and Eastern Samar in the Visayas.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas and those with saturated soil.

Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, the Bicol Region, Quezon, Aurora and parts of Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras are under high risk of intense to torrential rains, with rainfall possibly exceeding 200 millimeters in some areas.

A storm surge of up to two meters is possible within 36 hours along the coasts of Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, the Bicol Region and Samar provinces.

Mariners are strongly advised against venturing out to sea as coastal waters may become very rough, with wave heights reaching up to five meters along the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon.

Based on PAGASA’s latest forecast, Ramil is expected to continue moving west-northwestward across the Bicol Region until early Sunday morning.

It may pass close to or over the Polillo Islands before making another landfall in Aurora province later in the day.

After crossing Northern Luzon, the storm is forecast to exit into the West Philippine Sea by Monday morning, where it may re-intensify as it moves away from the country.

PAGASA urged residents, especially those in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to take precautionary measures and coordinate with local disaster officials.

As Ramil batters parts of the country, the Department of Health (DOH) has raised the Code White Alert to ensure hospitals and health facilities can immediately respond to any medical emergency. — Rhodina Villanueva