'Santi' intensifies into typhoon; 33 Luzon areas under storm alert

MANILA, Philippines - Storm alerts were raised over 33 areas in Luzon as “Santi” intensified into a typhoon Friday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that as of 4 a.m., the typhoon’s center was estimated at 340 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

“Santi” was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 150 kph while moving west at a speed of 15 kph.

Public storm warning signal No. 3 was raised over the provinces of Aurora.

Areas under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2:

Isabela
Ifugao
Nueva Vizcaya
Quirino
Benguet
La Union
Pangasinan
Tarlac
Zambales
Northern Quezon
Polilio Island
Pampanga
Bulacan

Areas under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1:

Souther Cagayan
Kalinaga
Abra
Mt. Province
Ilocos Sur
Bataan
Metro Manila
Rizal
Cavite
Batangas
Laguna
Lubang Islands
Quezon
Marinduque
Camarines Sur
Camarines Norte
Albay
Catanduanes

PAGASA said the estimated rainfall amount within the typhoon’s 500 kilometer diameter is 7.5 to 30.0 millimeter per hour or heavy to intense rains.

The weather bureau warned residents in areas with storm alerts to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

It added that coastal areas under public storm warning signals number 3 and 2 may be hit by storm surges.

“Sea travel is risky over the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and Visayas,” the weather bureau warned.

The storm is forecast to make landfall in Baler, Aurora and cross areas in the upper north of Luzon on Saturday.