Manila: Several provinces in eastern Philippines face a severe tropical storm, with tropical cyclone signal No. 2 raised over three provinces.
The storm packs winds of up to 85 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
A total of eight areas are under storm signal as “Sarika” (local name “Karen”) intensified on Friday.
In a 5pm bulletin Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-Asa) has elevated tropical storm Sarika.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 was raised over the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 has been raised over the following areas: Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon (including Polillo Island), Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Laguna, Rizal, Marinduque, Ticao and Burias Island, Masbate, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Metro Manila and Northern Samar.
The eye of the storm was located 260 km East of the capital of Virac in Catanduanes on Friday morning.
Storm surge — a sudden rising of sea levels along the coast due to low-pressure areas — is expected in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur, the weather bureau warned.
Moderate to heavy rain is expected in these areas within a 400-km radius of the storm.
