'Ramil' accelerates; storm signals still up in north

MANILA, Philippines - The weather bureau warned residents yesterday that typhoon “Ramil,” packing winds of 160 kilometers per hour, regained speed and was forecast to make landfall over Aparri, Cagayan this morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised yesterday afternoon storm warning signal no. 3 over the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, including Calayan and Babuyan Islands, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

Signal no. 2 was hoisted over Kalinga, Isabela, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora.

Placed under signal no. 1 were the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, and northern Quezon, including Polillo Islands.

Pagasa deputy administrator Nathaniel Cruz urged residents in areas affected by the typhoon to brace for heavy rains and strong winds.

He warned residents in the eastern coast of northern and central Luzon, including Palanan, Isabela and northern Aurora, against storm surge.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of the typhoon was spotted some 180 kms east of Aparri, packing winds of 160 kph and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

Ramil was forecast to move west southwest at 13 kph.

Pagasa reiterated the warning on possible flash floods and landslides due to torrential rains triggered by the storm.

Pagasa administrator Prisco Nilo said Ramil accelerated yesterday because the high-pressure area over the South China Sea, which was previously blocking its path, moved northward toward Hong Kong.

Nilo said there is only a “10 percent” probability that Ramil would not hit land.

He said the typhoon is likely to hit the Sierra Madre mountain range and is expected to weaken.

Early yesterday, Pagasa officials said Ramil was moving very slowly due to the influence of two high-pressure areas – one over the South China Sea and the other over the Pacific Ocean.

Cruz appealed to residents living in high-risk areas in northern and central Luzon to remain inside evacuation centers until Ramil moves away from the region.

“Let’s sacrifice a little by staying in evacuation centers while waiting for the typhoon to pass. Lives are at stake here,” Cruz said.

Ramil is expected to be at 80 kms southwest of Aparri this afternoon; at 270 kms west of Vigan, Ilocos Sur or at 270 kms southwest of Laoag City tomorrow afternoon.

By Sunday afternoon, it would be at 570 kms west of Vigan.

Ramil is the 18th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the third weather disturbance this month.