The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Wednesday that tropical cyclone ‘Carina’ (international name: Gaemi) evolved into a super typhoon as it prepared to make landfall in Taiwan.
In its 5:00 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA estimated the location of the storm at 380 kilometers (km) north of Itbayat, Batanes. It was moving northwestward at 20 km per hour with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.
“’Carina’ is forecast to make landfall over the northern portion of Taiwan this evening. On the track forecast, the super typhoon will cross the rugged terrain of Taiwan and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow (25 July) morning,” PAGASA stated in its latest advisory.
Southwest monsoon rains enhanced by the super typhoon prevail across Metro Manila and nearby Luzon provinces.
Weather specialist Veronica Torres said heavy to intense rains are still forecast on Thursday and the amount of rainfall could decrease by Friday.
In view of this development, many local government units (LGUs) announced that classes at all levels in public and private schools will remain suspended on Thursday, July 25.
These include LGUs in the cities of Quezon, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, San Juan, Caloocan, and Taguig in Metro Manila; Angeles City, Pampanga; Malolos City, Bulacan; Bataan in Central Luzon; Camarines Sur in Bicol and Dagupan City in Ilocos Region as of this writing.
Malacañang through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also announced that work in government offices and classes at all levels in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the National Capital Region remain suspended on July 25, 2024 amid ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
The University of the Philippines (UP) campus in Diliman and San Beda University-Rizal already posted announcements of onsite class suspensions.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila reported serious flooding that reached ‘ankle-to-waist’ levels, according to The Varsitarian. España Boulevard was submerged in water amid nonstop and heavy rains.
UP Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna also experienced flooding but the roads inside its campus remain passable.
Rene Melgar of the UPLB Security and Safety Office told Manila Standard in a phone interview that the campus incurred minor damage from fallen trees. –With Rolando Ng III
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