'Domeng' intensifies into storm; flood, landslides warnings raised

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised flood and landslide warnings for residents in Northern and Central Luzon as tropical depression “Domeng” intensified into a storm yesterday.

Storm warning signal no. 2 was hoisted over Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Calayan Islands, Isabela and Batanes Group of Islands as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

Signal no. 1 now covers Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mountain Province, Pangasinan, Kalinga, Abra, Apayao, La Union and Ilocos provinces.

Pagasa administrator Prisco Nilo said Domeng is likely to make landfall over Batanes or Northern Cagayan today.

Nilo said Domeng has merged with the low-pressure area east of Batanes and intensified into a tropical storm.

At around 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of the storm was spotted some 430 km east of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Domeng was forecast to move west at 19 kph.

Pagasa said Cagayan, including Babuyan and Calayan Islands, Isabela and Batanes Group of Islands would experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas.

The rest of Northern Luzon, Nueva Ecija and Aurora would experience rains with gusty winds.

Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas would have cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms.

The rest of the country would be mostly cloudy with scattered rains and thunderstorms.

Pagasa said Domeng has enhanced the southwest monsoon that will generate moderate to rough seas as well as bring rains, which may also trigger flashfloods and landslides in other parts of the country.

Domeng, the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, is expected to be 40 km east of Basco this afternoon and at 400 km west of Basco tomorrow afternoon. – With Evelyn Macairan