MANILA: Five areas in Luzon were placed under public storm warning signal number one as Kong-Rey intensified into a tropical storm, the state weather bureau said yesterday afternoon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 4pm, the storm’s centre was estimated at 270 kilometres east of Casiguran, Aurora.
It was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometres per hour and gustiness of up to 80kph. It was moving northwest at a speed of 15kph. The storm was expected to move over the waters off Basco, Batanes by today and tomorrow before heading towards Taiwan on Thursday afternoon.
Public storm warning signal number one has been raised over Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan including Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao and Isabela provinces.
PAGASA said the estimated rainfall amount within the storm’s 400 kilometre diameter is 10 millimetre to 20 millimetre (heavy to intense).
Metro Manila and other parts of Southern Luzon should expect heavy rains and thunderstorms as the storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon.
The National Risk Reduction and Management Council has put all its units in the affected areas on alert.
The Philippine star
