TROPICAL Storm "Ramon" has maintained its strength while moving north northwestward, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Thursday, November 14.
Pagasa said the center of Ramon was located 290 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, as of 10 a.m. Thursday, and moving north northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).
Ramon has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near its center and gusts of up to 80 kph.
Pagasa has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 2 in Catanduanes, while TCWS 1 has been hoisted over the eastern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, Palanan, Dinapigue), northern Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan), Polillo Island, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
On Thursday, November 14, light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will be experienced in Bicol Region, Quezon, and the eastern portions of Isabela and Cagayan.
On Friday, November 15, light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may be experienced in the eastern portion of Cagayan and Isabela. Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Apayao, Quirino, Northern Aurora and the rest of Cagayan and Isabela.
The state weather bureau has warned residents living in flood-prone or landslide-prone areas to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates.
Pagasa said sea travel is risky, especially for small vessels, in areas under storm signal, Northern Luzon, and off the eastern seaboards of Aurora and Quezon due to prevailing or forecast rough sea conditions. (EZN)