Santi to hit N. Luzon this weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Northern Luzon should brace for stormy weather as tropical depression Santi is expected to hit the region this weekend.

Aldzar Aurelio, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Santi is likely to make landfall over Isabela and Aurora this Saturday if it maintains its speed and direction.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Santi was spotted at 510 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour.

It was forecast to move west northwest at nine kph.

“If it maintains its west northwest track it will hit Isabela-Aurora by Saturday,” Aurelio said, adding that Metro Manila may feel the effects of Santi if it moves westward.

Aurelio, however, said Santi has not yet affected any part of the country as of yesterday.

He said the rains experienced in Metro Manila in the past few days were due to localized thunderstorms.

“The country is still in the rainy season that’s why we experience thunderstorms especially in the afternoon,” Aurelio said.

PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura said the disturbance could bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains within its 300-km radius.

Santi is the 19th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

It is predicted to be 370 km east northeast of Virac this morning; 400 km east of Infanta, Quezon tomorrow morning; and 190 km east of Baler, Aurora by Saturday morning.

Pura, however, said less rainfall is expected in other parts of Luzon as the southwest has already weakened.