'Pedring' may intensify into typhoon Monday, DOST says

UPDATED 10:00 a.m. - Tropical Storm Pedring (international codename Nesat) showed signs of intensifying into a typhoon as it moved toward the Aurora-Isabela area Monday, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said. DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said some areas may be placed under Storm Signal No. 3 before the day is over. "Lahat ng indication nagpapakita [na] itong tropical storm na ito ay magiging typhoon category ngayong araw na ito," Yumul said in an interview on dwIZ radio. On the other hand, PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said Pedring may make landfall over Isabela-Aurora area on Tuesday. "Maaring bukas magla-landfall ito sa Isabela-Aurora area," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Galang said Pedring may bring rain over the eastern section of Luzon and on Bicol. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) defines a tropical storm as a moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kilometers per hour (25 to 75 mph). It defines a typhoon as an intense tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kph. Heavy rain in Metro Manila Yumul said Metro Manila could experience heavy rains from Monday night to early Tuesday. "Ine-expect natin sa Metro Manila ang matinding ulan magsisimula mamayang gabi hanggang bukas ," he said. He said the early rain falling on Metro Manila is a combination of the outer band of Pedring and the southwest monsoon. PAGASA also estimated 10 to 20 millimeter (mm) per hour of rainfall within the 600-kilometer diameter of Pedring. Areas under storm signals Meanwhile, according to PAGASA, the following areas are under storm signals: Storm Signal No. 2 (as of 5 a.m. Monday):

Isabela

Aurora

Catanduanes

Polillo Island

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur Storm Signal No. 1:

Albay

Burias Island

Sorsogon

Quezon

Quirino

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Mt. Province

Kalinga

Cagayan Landfall As of 4:00 a.m. Monday, PAGASA said Pedring was estimated at 260 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph. PAGASA said Pedring is forecast to move west northwest at 17 kph and is expected to be 180 km northeast of Baler, Aurora Tuesday morning. By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 110 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. By Thursday morning it is expected to be 480 km northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. Yumul said their models show Pedring may exit Philippine territory Wednesday afternoon. Coast Guard: Over 500 people stranded Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said around 510 people have been stranded in Bicol and Southern Luzon due to rains and winds brought by tropical storm "Pedring." The PCG's action center said most of the stranded were from Tabaco (Albay) and Lucena (Quezon), radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported. Of the 510 stranded, 275 were from Tabaco (Albay) while 149 were from Lucena. Some 50 were from Pilar (Sorsogon) while 20 were from Masbate and another 10 were from San Andres (Catanduanes), the report said. Likewise stranded were four buses and 14 vessels and four motor bancas. Warning Meanwhile, PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. "Isabela, Aurora, Catanduanes, Polillo Island, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur will experience stormy weather while the rest of eastern Luzon will have rains and gusty winds and the coastal waters along these areas will be rough. The rest of the country will be cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. At the same time, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds coming from the northeast to northwest will prevail over northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over the rest of the country and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. It added that strong to gale force winds associated with Pedring may affect the western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of the country. — RSJ/VVP, GMA News