'Quiel' to hit Aurora, Isabela areas between 8-10 a.m.

Typhoon Quiel (Nalgae) intensified further early Saturday and changed course slightly, and now threatens the Isabela-Aurora area, the Department of Science and Technology said. DOST Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said that with the course change, Quiel to make landfall over Isabela and Aurora. "We expect it to make landfall over Isabela and Aurora between 8 and 10 a.m.," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said DOST projections show Quiel may exit Northern Luzon via Ilocos Sur between 4 and 6 p.m. Yumul also said there is a chance Quiel may slam into the Sierra Madre mountain range and weaken after doing so. On the other hand, he said Metro Manila, now under Signal No. 1, can expect rain along with parts of Central Luzon such as flood-hit Bulacan and Pampanga. In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Quiel was estimated at 160 km Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora as of 4 a.m. Saturday. PAGASA said Quiel packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph. It said Quiel is expected to move west-southwest at 26 kph and make landfall over Isabela-Aurora then cross Northern Luzon Saturday morning. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 270 km west-southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. By Sunday afternoon it is forecast to be 560 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. Under Storm Signal No.3 are:

• Isabela
• Northern Aurora
• Mt. Province
• Ifugao
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Benguet
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan

Under Storm Signal No. 2 are:

• Cagayan
• Apayao
• Ilocos Norte
• Abra
• Kalinga
• rest of Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Zambales
• Bulacan
• Northern Quezon
• Polillo Island

Under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

• rest of Quezon province
• Camarines Norte
• Rizal
• Bataan
• Cavite
• Laguna
• Batangas
• Lubang Island
• Babuyan Island
• Calayan Group of Islands
• Metro Manila

PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. It also reminded those living in coastal areas to be alert against big waves or storm surges. Also, it said Quiel is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring scattered to widespread rains over Southern Luzon. PAGASA estimated 200 to 400 mm of rainfall over Magat Dam catchment during the passage of Quiel. It also estimated 80 to 100 mm of rainfall over Angat Dam catchment due to the monsoon starting later Saturday. The estimated rainfall amount is from 15 to 25 mm per hour within the 500-km diameter of Quiel.— LBG, GMA News