Weather: Storm Kabayan intensifies; floods threaten 3 provinces

Flash floods and landslides loom over at least three provinces in Northern and Central Luzon, even as Tropical Storm Kabayan (Muifa) intensified Saturday morning. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also said Kabayan continued to move northward. "Bataan, Zambales and Pangasinan will continue to experience monsoon rains (moderate to heavy) which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said in its 11 a.m. advisory. PAGASA earlier said Kabayan will enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rain to the western section of Luzon. However, it said Kabayan is still "too far to directly affect any part of the country." As of 10 a.m., PAGASA said Kabayan was estimated at 930 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. It packed maximum winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph, and was moving north at 15 kph. By Sunday morning it is forecast to be 1,130 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. By Monday morning it is expected to be 1,090 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes. On Tuesday morning it is expected to be 960 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 400 km southeast of Okinawa, Japan. While no storm warning signals were raised, PAGASA estimated the storm has 15 to 25 mm-per-hour rainfall within its 650-km diameter. Meanwhile, PAGASA maintained it expects Kabayan to exit Philippine territory on Wednesday. There will be rains brought by the southwest monsoon, it added. — LBG, GMA News