Signal 1 up in 5 areas as Mario heads toward Luzon

MANILA, Sept. 18 (PNA) -- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services administration (PAGASA) raised storm warning signal over five Luzon areas as tropical storm Mario maintained its strength while moving toward Northern Luzon on Thursday.PAGASA said the provinces of Catanduanes, Isabela, Aurora and Cagayan, including the Calayan group of islands, are now under public storm warning signal No. 1 (winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour expected in at least 36 hours).Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said tropical storm Mario” was estimated based on all available data at 477 km east of Virac, Catanduanes (13.8°N, 128.7°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move west- northwest at 24 kph.The storm is expected to be at 172 km east of Casiguran, Aurora by Friday morning and at 97 km north-northwest of Aparri, Cagayan by Saturday morning.By Sunday morning, it is expected to be at 470 km north- northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 247 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes.The combined effects of the southwest monsoon and TS Mario will bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas which may cause flash floods and landslides.The estimated rainfall amount is from 7 to 20 millimeters per hour (moderate to intense) within the 300- km diameter of storm Mario. PAGASA said fisherfolks and those with small seacraft are advised not to venture out in the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. (PNA)SCS/CLTC