'Feria' slams RP; storm signal up

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm “Feria” slammed Eastern Visayas yesterday, hitting land in Borongan, Eastern Samar and hovering around Northern Samar, the weather bureau said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, storm warning signal No. 2 was raised over Masbate, Ticao Island, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Romblon, Burias Island, southern Quezon, Samar provinces, Leyte provinces, Biliran, northern Iloilo, northern Negros, northern Cebu and Aklan.

Storm signal No. 1 was hoisted over Metro Manila, Mindoro provinces, Lubang Island, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Northern Quezon, Polillo Island, Calamian Group of Islands, Cuyo Island, Bataan, Bulacan, Bohol, Southern Cebu, Southern Negros, Guimaras, Southern Iloilo, Antique, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island and Camiguin.
Prisco Nilo, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) administrator, said if Feria maintained its present speed and direction, it would pass near Metro Manila this afternoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds.
It is not expected to intensify into a typhoon but it will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains over these areas until Thursday, he added.
Nilo warned the public against possible flashfloods and landslides due to heavy rains.
Feria is expected to be at 70 kms southwest of Metro Manila this afternoon; at 260 kms west-northwest of Laoag City by tomorrow afternoon and at 500 kms north-northwest of Basco, Batanes by Friday afternoon.

The eye of Feria was spotted at 40 kilometers south-southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar at 4 p.m. yesterday, packing winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
It is forecast to move west-northwest at 22 kph.
Feria is the sixth tropical storm to enter the country this year and the first this month.
Meanwhile, Pagasa weather forecaster Rene Paciente said the heavy downpour in Metro Manila yesterday afternoon was caused by a severe thunderstorm, not by Feria.
The storm was expected to trigger rains starting yesterday afternoon until the weekend based on latest forecast, he added..
Feria is expected to leave the Philippines during the weekend, Paciente said. —Helen Flores