'Carina' to graze Phl - Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm “Carina” entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday but was expected to only “graze” the country while inducing monsoon rains, state weather forecasters said.

Nathaniel Servando, administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Carina (international name “Talim”) would remain within the country’s territory before moving to Taiwan.

“It was expected to pass between Taiwan and the coastal area of China,” Servando said.

However, he said the storm would enhance the southwest monsoon and bring light to moderate rains over Northern and Central Luzon, particularly the Ilocos region, Zambales, Benguet and Pangasinan.

Servando said good weather conditions will prevail over most parts of the country starting today until Monday.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Carina was spotted 420 km north northwest of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was forecast to move northeast at 30 kph.

Meanwhile, a new low-pressure area was located at 750 km east of eastern Visayas as of 2 p.m. yesterday.

Locked and loaded

In preparation for tropical storm Carina, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) distributed 26 rubber boats, search and rescue equipment, and conducted disaster response drills in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and La Union provinces on Tuesday.

Benito Ramos, NDRRMC executive director, told The STAR that they also alerted government agencies concerned and emergency response teams in northern Luzon in preparation for the incoming storm.

“We already pre-positioned our personnel in the local level, particularly in the flood and landslide prone areas. We also advised those living in coastal areas and the fishermen to temporarily avoid fishing in the high seas because of the danger that might be brought by the bad weather condition,” Ramos said.

He said the Philippine Coast Guard and local government units are directed to inform directly the fishermen in their areas to prevent them from fishing due to the bad weather.

Melchito Castro, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, reported yesterday that around twelve fishermen in Infanta, Pangasinan went missing the other day.

Recipients of rubber boats in La Union are the towns of Aringay, Bauang, and Bangar, as well as the city of San Fernando.

Ramos, along with San Fernando Mayor Pablo Ortega and the chief executives of the three recipient municipalities, have signed an agreement to help one another in assisting affected residents in times of disaster. – Helen Flores, Jun Elias