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Tropical Storm “Sarika” heading directly toward Luzon, Philippines

tropical-storm-sarika-heading-directly-toward-luzon-philippines

Severe Tropical Storm "Sarika", known as Karen in the Philippines, is currently heading directly for Luzon, Philippines. The system will make landfall over northern Luzon and Aurora on the afternoon of October 16 (local time). Residents are advised to prepare, remain on alert and closely follow further development, as the storm is developing with a fast pace and may catch everyone off guard. People of Metro Manila, mountainous regions and other flood-prone areas, should be ready to relocate by tomorrow. 

Karen intensified from a tropical depression over the last 24 hours and is expected to become a typhoon by October 15, as it approaches the island.

The tropical storm was located approximately 607.4 km (377.4 miles) east of Manila, Philippines, and tracking westward at 12.9 km/h (8 mph) on October 14, at 09:00 UTC, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). The system was packing maximum sustained winds of 83.3 km/h (51.8 mph) with gusts up to 101.8 km/h (63.2 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 998 hPa.

Karen will continue to intensify. Its maximum sustained winds are expected to reach 138.9 km/h (86.3 mph) with gusts up to 166.7 km/h (103.6 mph) over the next 24 hours, Over the next 36 hours, the system will reach is peak as a very strong typhoon equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 157.4 km/h (97.8 mph) and gusts of 194.5 km/h (120.8 mph).

The system is expected to make landfall over northern Quezon and Aurora on the afternoon of October 16 (local time). According to Benison Estareja, a PAGASA weather forecaster, the entire Luzon and Visayas will experience rainfall, in particular, the areas of Bicol, Quezon, and Aurora, by October 15, as the typhoon progresses toward the island.

According to experts from Westpacwx, residents of southern and central Luzon should expect typhoon conditions, heavy rainfall, and strong winds over the weekend, as the system approaches the land. Areas from Caramoran to the northeast will be exposed to intense winds capable of inducing serious damage. Some regions are likely to experience between 300 and 400 mm (11.8 and 15.7 inches) of rainfall, especially the mountainous region east of Manila. The area will be threatened by the flooding and landslides.

Estimated amount of rainfall is from moderate to heavy within the 400 km (250 miles) diameter of the Tropical Storm, according to PAGASA. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #1 will possibly be raised over Aurora and the rest of Quezon. Fishermen and seafarers with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon and over the northern and eastern seaboards of Eastern Visayas.

According to the current forecast track, Manilla will likely remain south of the storm, and out of the worst of the weather. However, strong winds and rainfall can still cause traffic jams and other weather-related issues.

Residents are advised to prepare accordingly. People living in Metro Manila, mountainous regions and other flood-prone areas, should be ready to relocate by tomorrow. The storm is rapidly developing and could catch people off their guard, so everyone should stay on alert and closely follow further development.

Tropical storm Sarika - Karen - forecast track by JTWC on October 14, 2016

Tropical Storm "Sarika" – forecast track by JTWC on October 14, 2016

Tropical storm Sarika - Karen - satellite image at 06:00 UTC on October 14, 2016 SATOPS JTWC

Credit: JTWC/SATOPS

Update 
13:55 UTC, October 15, 2016

Typhoon "Sarika" making landfall over the Visayas, Philippines

Typhoon "Sarika" is making landfall in the Visayas, the central region of the Philippines on October 15, 2016 with maximum sustained winds near 166 km/h (103 mph).

At 09:00 UTC, the system was located about 311 km (193 miles) east of Manila, and tracking west-northwest at 12.9 km/h (8 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Sarika is expected to cross over Luzon, the northern Philippines during the day, and continue moving into the South China Sea.

Typhoon Sarika approaching the Philippines, October 15, 2016. Image credit: NASA/Suomi NPP/VIIRS

Typhoon "Sarika" approaching the Philippines, October 15, 2016. Image credit: NASA/Suomi NPP/VIIRS

Typhoon Sarika, October 15, 2016, 12:30 UTC. Image credit: UW-CIMSS

Typhoon Sarika, October 15, 2016, 12:30 UTC. Image credit: UW-CIMSS

Typhoon Sarika making landfall in the Philippines, October 15, 2016. Image credit: NASA

Typhoon Sarika making landfall in the Philippines, October 15, 2016. Image credit: NASA

According to meteorologists from Westpacwx, the storm is expected to lash most of central and south Luzon with heavy rainfall and damaging winds. Landslides are also possible in higher elevations.

Public storm warning signal #3 is currently in effect in the Luzon provinces of Pangasinan, Northern Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and Northern Quezon, including Polilio Island, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

Public storm warning signal #2 is in effect in the Luzon provinces of Ilocos Sur, Southern Isabela, Mt Province, Ifugao, Rest of Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes.

Public storm signal #1 is in force in the Luzon provinces of Ilocos Norte, Abra, Kalinga, Rest of Isabela, Southern Apayao, Southern Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Marinduque, Camarines Sur,  and Albay, including Burias Island.

Typhoon "Sarika" 5-day forecast track. Image credit: JTWC

New threat – Tropical Storm "Haima"

Tropical Storm "Haima" was officially designated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) this morning, October 15.

The system will travel west-northwest, and become more northwesterly in the midst of its track, which will take it extremely close to northern Luzon.

At the time it is expected to develop into a Category 4 hurricane, and residents of western Micronesia and the Philippines are advised to monitor the storm closely.

Featured image credit: NOAA/JMA

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