Manila: Tropical Storm Ramil maintained its strength and is now positioned over the coastal waters of Alabat, Quezon as of 4 a.m. Sunday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
According to Philippines News Agency, the weather bureau, in its 5 a.m. advisory, reported that Ramil continues to have maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, moving west northwestward at 25 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is currently in effect for several regions including the southeastern portion of Quirino, parts of Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, parts of Zambales, northern Metro Manila, parts of Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon, including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, and a portion of Camarines Sur.
Areas under TCWS No. 1 in Luzon include Cagayan with Babuyan Islands, Isabela, the remainder of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union, Zambales, Bataan, the rest of Metro Manila, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, portions of Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands. In Visayas, Northern Samar, parts of Eastern Samar, and parts of Samar are also under TCWS No. 1.
PAGASA indicated that wind signals serve to alert the public about the general wind threat posed by the tropical cyclone, with minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds expected in areas under Wind Signal No. 2. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures and avoid navigation in these conditions if possible.
Heavy rains are expected in various regions including Camarines Norte, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Batangas, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aklan, and Antique. Heavy rainfall is also anticipated in Metro Manila and several other provinces across Luzon and Visayas.
PAGASA forecasts that Ramil will continue moving west northwestward or northwestward, making landfall over Quezon province Sunday morning. After landfall, it is expected to traverse the Southern-Central Luzon landmass, emerging over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or Zambales later in the day. Ramil is anticipated to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning. The weather bureau noted that during its passage over land, Ramil may maintain its strength or slightly weaken due to the frictional effects of mountainous terrain.
