'Karen' intensifies into typhoon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm “Karen” (international name “Sanba”) intensified into a typhoon yesterday and is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that would bring rains over some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao this weekend.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Karen was spotted at 740 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

Karen was packing winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness of up to 160 kph.

It was forecast to move northwest at 15 kph.

No storm warning signals have been raised as of yesterday afternoon.

Metro Manila will have cloudy skies with occasional light rains due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Regions 4A (Calabarzon) and 4B (Mimaropa), and western Visayas, including Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City and Mindanao will experience moderate to heavy rains.

Central Luzon, Bicol and eastern Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rains.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rains and thunderstorms.

The typhoon is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains over the western section of Visayas, including Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City and Mindanao.

Karen is likely to dump 10 to 20 millimeters per hour of rain (heavy) within its 550-km radius, the weather bureau said.

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, meanwhile, said a low-pressure area was spotted at 580 km east of Iba, Zambales as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

He said there is a high probability that the low-pressure area will intensify into a tropical cyclone. It will be given the local name “Lawin” once it develops into a cyclone.

PAGASA warned fishermen and operators of small sea vessels against venturing out into the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, eastern seaboard of the Visayas and Mindanao due to strong winds generated by the typhoon.

PAGASA said rough to very rough seas would prevail over these areas with wave heights expected to reach 3.4 to five meters.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also urged fishermen not to sail towards the country’s eastern seaboard.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said Karen could enhance the southwest monsoon and could bring heavy rains in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture into the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao due to strong winds generated by typhoon Karen,” NDRRMC said.

Ramos said regional civil defense offices have been ordered to undertake precautionary measures and initiate preemptive evacuation of families in mountainous and low-lying areas.

The NDRRMC Operations Center has been placed on red alert since Tuesday to ensure the availability of personnel in the event of an emergency. A red alert places all disaster management personnel on standby.

The Air Force Tactical Operations Group in Eastern Visayas has been placed on standby for possible rescue operations.

NDRRMC said Karen has caused floods in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, Valenzuela City, Manila and Malabon.

The floodwaters in all these areas have subsided.

A total of 53 families in Malaybalay were evacuated to temporary shelters last Monday due to the floods. The evacuees returned to their respective homes an hour after the flashflood.

Karen is predicted to be 600 km east of Tuguegarao City this morning, 420 km east of Basco, Batanes tomorrow morning and 320 km east of southern Taiwan by Sunday morning.

Karen is the 11th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first weather disturbance this month. – Alexis Romero