Typhoon “Ramon” maintained its strength and remained stationary while affecting the Babuyan Islands, where the state weather bureau forecast it would make landfall Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, a low pressure over the east of the Visayas developed into a tropical depression named “Sarah.”
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the eye of “Ramon” as of 4 p.m. yesterday was located at 120 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 165 kph.
“Ramon” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday to head toward the West Philippine Sea.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 3 remained in effect over Cagayan’s Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanches Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Calayan, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga and Santa Ana towns.
Signal no. 2 was hoisted over the provinces of Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and the rest of Cagayan.
Signal no. 1 was in effect over Isabela’s Sta. Maria, San Pablo, Maconacon, Sto. Tomas, Quezon, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Divilacan, Quirino, Roxas, Mallig, San Manuel, Burgos, Gamu and Iligan City; Mt. Province; Benguet; Ifugao; La Union, and Pangasinan.
Meanwhile, the weather bureau said “Sarah” was located at 710 kms east of Virac, Catanduanes.
Unlike “Ramon,” “Sarah” was moving fast at 35 kms northwestward. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
In Tuguegarao City, at least 1,497 families or 5,487 people trooped to evacuation sites at schools and village halls in 11 towns of Cagayan province on Monday night as Typhoon “Ramon” (international name Kalmaegi) hit the northern Philippines, disaster management officials said.
Governor Manuel Mamba suspended classes in all levels for the second day on Tuesday to ensure the safety of students.
However, work in both public and private offices and establishments resumed after being suspended on Monday, acting provincial information officer Rogelio Sending Jr. told the Philippine News Agency.
Task Force Lingkod Cagayan chief Rueli Rapsing said power supply had been cut off in Santa Ana and Gonzaga as “Ramon” pummeled the province.
Bagging operations were conducted at Buguey shorelines, particularly in flood-prone Paddaya West, Mayor Lloyd Antiporda said.
On the other hand, Allacapan Mayor Harry Florida said landslides blocked the provincial road in their area.
Five boat crew members were stranded at Aparri port as the bad weather forced them to delay travel to Calayan Island in Cagayan.
In Apayao, the provincial disaster risk reduction management office reports said at least 150 families were evacuated to village halls and schools due to floods and landslides.
In the City of Ilagan, the Baculod bridge went under floodwaters and was closed to traffic. With PNA