Storm 'Marce' threatens Luzon

MANILA, Philippines – Weathermen yesterday advised residents in northern Luzon to prepare for strong winds and heavy rains as tropical storm “Marce” enters the country tomorrow.

Based on its present speed and direction, Marce is forecast to make landfall over the northern part of Cagayan early tomorrow morning, said Nathaniel Cruz, weather branch chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm warning signal no. 2 was hoisted over Cagayan, Isabela and Northern Aurora.

Signal no. 1 was up in Catanduanes, Polillo Island, the rest of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Babuyan and Batanes group of islands.

Marce, the 13th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first this month, was spotted at 410 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora at 4 p.m. yesterday, packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of 80 kph.

Cruz said Marce is expected to gain strength while over the sea within the next 24 hours.

Forecast to move northwest at 15 kph, Marce is expected to be at 150 kms northeast of Casiguran, Aurora this afternoon; at 120 kms north of Vigan City tomorrow afternoon and at 450 kms north-northwest of Vigan City by Thursday afternoon.

Cruz said Marce would continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Southern Luzon and Western Visayas until tomorrow.

He said mostly cloudy skies with rain showers would prevail over Metro Manila and Mindanao until Wednesday. – Helen Flores