Santi gains strength, approaches N. Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Santi gained strength yesterday as it continued to move closer to northern Luzon even as a new storm is expected to enter the country this weekend, the state weather bureau said.

Jori Loiz, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Santi is expected to intensify into a typhoon before making landfall over Isabela-Aurora between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. tomorrow.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm warning signal no. 1 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Polilio Islands and Camarines Norte.

Loiz said if the storm maintains its direction, these areas would have rains and gusty winds within 36 hours.

As of 4 p.m., the center of the storm was spotted at 490 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

Santi, the 19th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second weather disturbance this month, accelerated and changed its course yesterday afternoon.

It was forecast to move westward at 15 kph.

Loiz, meanwhile, said the new weather disturbance is not yet expected to affect the country.

PAGASA weather division chief Robert Sawi said Metro Manila may experience moderate to heavy rains on Saturday as Santi hits Isabela-Aurora area.

“We might raise signal no. 1 over Metro Manila tonight or tomorrow,” he said.

Loiz warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal no. 1 to prepare against flashfloods and landslides. He said inclement weather is expected in central and northern Luzon today.

Santi is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday.

Stranded

At least 420 passengers and 35 vehicles were stranded in the ports of Albay and Catanduanes yesterday hours after weathermen placed Catanduanes under public storm signal No.1 due to Santi, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. – With Cet Dematera, Francis Elevado, Alexis Romero