Typhoon Carina has intensified into a Super Typhoon, according to PAGASA’s advisory released on Wednesday afternoon. It is expected to make landfall in Taiwan later tonight.
As of 4 p.m., the center of the typhoon was located 380 km north of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of up to 185 km/h near the center and gusts reaching up to 230 km/h.
The typhoon is moving northwestward at a speed of 20 km/h.
Signal No. 2 is raised over Batanes, while Signal No. 1 is in effect for the following areas:
- Babuyan Islands
- Northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, Gonzaga)
- Northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams)
“Those under warning signals 2 and 1 will continue to experience inclement weather… Meanwhile, due to Carina’s continued movement, it has been tracked as very favorable for the continuous enhancement of the Habagat,” said PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez in an interview with GMA Integrated News Bulletin.
The Habagat will bring rain to Metro Manila, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, and the remaining parts of the Ilocos Region, with occasional rain in the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Ecija, and the rest of CALABARZON.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected over Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and the rest of Luzon, as well as the rest of the country.
Flash floods and landslides are possible under these weather conditions.
On Wednesday, Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon experienced severe flooding due to rains brought by the Habagat and Typhoon Carina.
Carina is expected to make landfall in the northern part of Taiwan on Wednesday night.
By Thursday morning, the typhoon is forecasted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“Carina has reached its peak intensity as a Super Typhoon prior to its landfall over Taiwan due to a favorable environment. Its landfall over northern Taiwan will trigger a weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period,” according to PAGASA.