LPA develops into Tropical Depression Ramil; Signal No. 1 raised

October 17 ------ The low-pressure area (LPA) east of southeastern Luzon has intensified into a tropical depression and was named Ramil, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its first tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Ramil was located 1,145 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon as of 7 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said Ramil is expected to approach Catanduanes by Saturday morning or afternoon, Oct. 18, and may make landfall over Aurora or Quezon by Sunday morning or afternoon, Oct. 19, before crossing Northern and Central Luzon.

However, she noted that a southward shift in the storm’s track is possible, which could change the landfall area to Southern Luzon or Samar provinces. “If the track shifts south, the landfall area could change to Southern Luzon or Samar provinces, affecting a larger portion of Southern Luzon,” she said.

After crossing the landmass, Ramil is expected to re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Sunday afternoon or evening and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday morning, Oct. 20. Castañeda said the trough or extension of Ramil is expected to bring scattered rain showers over parts of Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas on Friday afternoon. She said strong winds and heavy rains are expected over most of Northern and Central Luzon, as well as the eastern parts of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, over the weekend.

PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over eastern Quezon (Tagkawayan), Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, northern and eastern portions of Sorsogon (Donsol, Pilar, Castilla, City of Sorsogon, Gubat, Prieto Diaz, Casiguran, Barcelona, Bulusan), and eastern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Catubig, Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Pambujan, San Roque). The weather bureau also issued a heavy rainfall advisory, warning that moderate to heavy rainfall of 50–100 millimeters is expected on Saturday over Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar.

On Sunday, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for Northern and Central Luzon, including Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, and Quezon.

Castañeda urged residents in these areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories on this weather disturbance.

Source: mb.com.ph