MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Ramon weakened into a low-pressure area yesterday after lashing Northern Luzon even as the state weather bureau warned the public that Tro-pical Storm Sarah was also heading toward the area.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes, northeastern portion of Cagayan and Babuyan Islands due to Sarah.
The storm maintained its strength and was moving north-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
As of 4 p.m., the center of the storm was estimated 540 kms east of Tuguegarao City, packing winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
PAGASA said Sarah was expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm within the next 24 hours.
Tomorrow, the center of Sarah was expected to be between Batanes and Babuyan Islands or 70 kms north of Calayan.
Sarah was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday as a tropical depression.
Thousands displaced
Meanwhile, Ramon made landfall over Sta. Ana, Cagayan at around midnight yesterday.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said at least 7,332 people were evacuated due to massive flooding in Sta. Ana, Gonzaga, Sta. Teresita, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Lallo, Claveria, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Sanchez Mira, Sta. Praxedes, Pamplona, Baggao, Gattaran, Buguey, Peñablanca, Lasam, Rizal and Solana towns, all in Cagayan.
Col. Ariel Quilang, Cagayan police director, said Barangays Visitacion, Marde, Casagan, Dungeg, Sta. Clara, Parada, Batu Patunungan and parts of Casambalangan were worst hit by flooding.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba said classes in all levels in the province are suspended until tomorrow.
Classes were suspended in Tabuk, City, Kalinga and Apayao, Mountain Provinces yesterday, also due to Ramon. – With Raymund Catindig