Tropical Depression ‘Karding’ threatens Isabela, Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:52 a.m.) — A tropical depression that developed Thursday morning off Central Luzon is on track to make landfall over the east coast of Isabela or Cagayan on Sunday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

The state weather service said in a bulletin issued 11 a.m. on Thursday that it is highly likely for it to hoist Signal No. 1 over Northern Luzon and some portions of Central Luzon due to Tropical Depression “Karding.”

PAGASA said that the eastern portion of Northern Luzon may be placed under this warning as early as Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Karding is currently moving eastward at 10 kilometers per hour, is packing winds of 45 kph near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

Karding, the eye of which was last spotted 1,350 kilometers east of Central Luzon, is expected to bring heavy rains over Northern and Central Luzon starting Saturday, which PAGASA warned may bring isolated to scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides.

Moderate to rough seas are forecast over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon beginning Sunday, PAGASA said as it issued a warning that this may be risky for those using small seacrafts.

Karding is forecast to continue moving slowly eastward or east northeastward in the next 12 hours before sharply turning westward on Friday.

After making landfall over Isabela or Cagayan, it will traverse Northern Luzon before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Monday.

Forecast track

• September 22, 8 p.m. – 1,395 km east of Northern Luzon
• September 23, 8 a.m. – 1,330 km east of Northern Luzon
• September 23, 8 p.m. – 1,170 km east of Northern Luzon
• September 24, 8 a.m. – 970 km east of Northern Luzon
• September 24, 8 p.m. – 750 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• September 25, 8 a.m. – 525 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• September 26, 8 a.m. – In the vicinity of Tabuk, Kalinga
• September 27, 8 a.m. – 570 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur

— Xave Gregorio