15 areas under signal #3 as 'Santi' intensifies further

(UPDATED) MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen areas in Luzon are now under storm signal number 3 after Typhoon "Santi" intensified further while moving closer to the province of Aurora, the state weather bureau said Friday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Santi was last observed at 150 kilometers east southeast of Baler, Aurora.

The typhoon intensified further as it bears maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour. It was forecast to move west northwest at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour

Public storm warning signals have been hoisted in the following areas:

Signal No.3
Aurora
Isabela
Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya
Ifugao
Benguet
La Union
Ilocos Sur
Pangasinan
Mt. Province
Tarlac
Nueva Ecija
Northern Quezon
Polilio Island
Northern Zambales

Signal No. 2
Metro Manila
Ilocos Norte
Cagayan
Apayao
Kalinga
Abra
Rest of Zambales
Pampanga
Bataan
Bulacan
Rizal
Rest of Quezon

Signal No. 1
Calayan and Babuyan Group of Is.
Cavite
Batangas
Laguna
Lubang Islands
Marinduque
Camarines Provinces
Northern Mindoro
Catanduanes

PAGASA said earlier that Santi is expected to make landfall over the northern Aurora-Isabela area on  Friday night to early Saturday morning. The 19th cyclone that entered the country this year will cross the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Neuva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao, Benguet, Panagasinan and La Union.

The agency said heavy to intense rainfall is estimated within the 500-kilometer diameter of the typhoon. Stormy weather is expected over Aurora and Northern Quezon this afternoon and over the rest of Central and Northern Luzon on Friday night.

Metro Manila and Southern Luzon is expected to experience occasional rains and gusty winds today.

PAGASA warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals against possible flashfloods and landslides while those living in coastal areas are alerted against storm surges.