'Juaning' makes landfall over Aurora; rains threaten NCR

UPDATED 10:30 a.m. — Tropical Storm Juaning (international name: Nock-Ten) hit land at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Casiguran, Aurora. PAGASA placed 20 provinces — including Metro Manila where all classes have been suspended — under Storm Signal Number 2. Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr., in an interview of Unang Balita, said Metro Manila can expect a 20 to 25 millimeter per hour rain volume especially between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. This rain volume is about 40 percent of the volume during storm Ondoy's deadly rain in 2009. Yumul, supervising science undersecretary for PAGASA, said Juaning, which has a diameter of 500 kilometers, is interacting with another storm that is still way out in the Pacific Ocean. Moving toward Isabela In an interview on GMA News TV's "News To Go," Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Sonny Pajarilla also said Juaning intensified with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center from 80 kph Tuesday night. Pajarilla said the storm was moving northward at 15 kph toward Isabela province.

Residents in Nabua, Camarines Sur on Wednesday wade through floods caused by rains dumped by Juaning in the Bicol Region. Ian Cruz

He also said western Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience heavy rains possibly until Thursday as Juaning crosses the Sierra Madre Mountain range along it west-northwest path. Meanwhile, PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando, in an interview on dzBB radio, said"Patuloy ito na nagbabanta sin Juaning sa Central Luzon at Metro Manila... Dahil sa may kalakihan, malawak ang sakop ng bagyo, umaabot ng 500 kilometers ang diameter, kahit ito patahak ng Central Luzon, tatamaan pa rin nito ang Metro Manila." "We expect it to exit Luzon via Pangasinan Wednesday night," he said. Servando said Juaning will bring heavy rains as it enhances the southwest monsoon before exiting Philippine territory. By Thursday morning it is expected to be in the vicinity of Dagupan City. By Friday morning it is expected to be 410 km west-northwest of Laoag City. Storm signals The areas under Storm Signal No. 2 are:

Camarines Norte

Quezon

Polillo Island

Batangas

Laguna

Cavite

Rizal

Bulacan

Pampanga

Bataan

Zambales

Tarlac

Pangasinan

Nueva Ecija

Aurora

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Benguet

La Union

Metro Manila The areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

Catanduanes

Camarines Sur

Albay

Burias Island

Romblon

Mindoro Provinces (Occidental and Oriental)

Lubang Island

Isabela

Ifugao

Mt. Province

Kalinga

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Abra

Apayao

Cagayan PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides. It also said those living in coastal areas should be on alert against big waves or storm surges generated by Juaning. Stormy weather In its 5:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas will experience stormy weather: Central Luzon, Camarines Norte, Quezon including Polillo Island, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Pangasinan, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union and Metro Manila The rest of Northern Luzon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay including Burias Island, Mindoro Provinces including Lubang Island and Romblon will have rains with gusty winds and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Visayas, including Palawan, will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest will prevail over the rest of the country and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Another weather disturbance Servando said PAGASA is also monitoring another weather disturbance, although it is not likely to make landfall over the Philippines. "Tropical depression na ito pero sa labas pa ng Philippine area of responsibility. Kung hindi ito magbago, ito ay malamang di tatama ng kalupaan, ito ay patungong Japan," he said.— LBG/VVP, GMA News