'Ondoy' moves toward northern Luzon

At least eight provinces in Luzon were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as tropical depression "Ondoy" continued moving toward central and northern Luzon Friday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Ondoy" is expected to make landfall in the eastern provinces of Aurora or Isabela Saturday night. "In the meantime we expect Ondoy to continue gaining strength while it is still over the Pacific Ocean," Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio. In its 11 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said areas under Storm Signal No. 1 were Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Pagasa said that as of 10 a.m., "Ondoy" was 80 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 400 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. "Ondoy" packed maximum winds of 55 kph near the center and was moving west-northwest at 11 kph. By Saturday morning, it is expected to be 140 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. By Sunday morning it is expected to be in the vicinity of Baguio City. By Saturday morning it is expected to be 190 km east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. It is estimated to hit land by Sunday morning, cross the northern part of Luzon and be at 160 km west of Vigan in Ilocos Sur on Monday morning. "This disturbance is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring occasional rains over Southern Luzon and Visayas. Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides," Pagasa said. It added the eastern sections of Luzon will experience rains and gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. The rest of Luzon and the whole of Visayas will have monsoon rains, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides while Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, it said. Pagasa said the surge of the southwest monsoon enhanced by "Ondoy" will affect the seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. "Fishing boats and other small sea craft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. - GMANews.TV