Tropical Storm “Kabayan” hits Luzon, Philippines

Tropical Storm "Kabayan" has made landfall over Baler-San Luis, Aurora and is now crossing over central Luzon, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on October 1, 21:00 UTC.

Kabayan developed as a tropical depression east of Visayas early morning October 1, and rapidly intensified into a tropical storm by 15:00 UTC on the same day.

Tropical Storm "Kabayan", October 1, 02:32 UTC. Image credit: DOST/PAGASA/Himawari-8

The system's center was located about 60 km (37 miles) west of Baler, Aurora, in the vicinity of San Jose city, Nueva Ecija, as of 20:00 UTC, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) with wind gust speeds reaching 80 km/h (50 mph). 

Kabayan is expected to move west northwest at 20 km/h (12 mph), and will pass about 950 km (590 miles) west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte over the next 48 hours.

Composite radar and MTSAT-IR view of Tropical Storm "Kabayan". Image credit: PAGASA/NOAH/MTSAT-IR/NOAA

Winds between 61 and 120 km/h (38 and 74 mph) are expected in Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan and Tarlac over the next 24 hours, and are likely to cause light to moderate damage to high risk structures.

Storm surges between 4 and 14 meters (13 and 46 feet) and are possible in the coastal areas of Luzon. Moderate to heavy rains accompanied with isolated thunderstorms will be experienced across the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, within the 300 km (186 miles) diameter of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm "Kabayan" 3-day forecast track. Image credit: PAGASA

Flash floods and landslides are possible in low lying and mountainous areas of the island. The Public and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council have been advised to take appropriate precaution measurements and watch out for the further development.

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Kabayan", October 1, 02:32 UTC. Image credit: DOST/PAGASA/Himawari-8