"Karding" intensified from a tropical storm into a severe tropical storm on Saturday and expected to bring heavy to intense at times torrential rains in parts of the country from Sunday to Monday.
In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said "Karding" is moving west-southwest at 25 kilometers per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kph with a gustiness now up to 135 kph from the previous 125 kph.
The severe tropical storm is forecast to greatly affect the weather over the southern portion of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and the northern portion of Zambales.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains prevail in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur from Saturday night through Sunday, while moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over the rest of Central Luzon.
PAGASA added that Cagayan, Ilocos Provinces, CALABARZON, Metro Manila, and the rest of Isabela and Cordillera Administrative Region will experience moderate to heavy rains.
Further, occasional rains over most of Southern Luzon and Visayas, especially over their western sections prevail from Saturday to Sunday.
But PAGASA is not ruling out the possible issuance of a weather advisory for Southwest Monsoon (habagat) will be enhanced by "Karding".
The state weather bureau warned that scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible under this weather, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to hazards.
Moderate to heavy damage to structures and vegetation in Central Luzon and Isabela is likely due to damaging to destructive storm-force winds of "Karding."
Throughout the passage of "Karding" in the Philippine area of responsibility. PAGASA said winds may reach gale-force in strength in any of the areas where Wind Signal no.2 is hoisted.
