'Carina' intensifies into a typhoon

(UPDATES) SEVERE Tropical Storm «Carina» has intensified into a typhoon while meandering over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday.

«Carina» was estimated at 420 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and was slowly moving north-northwestward, Pagasa said.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted in Batanes, the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gattaran, Bagaon, Penablanca, Lal-lo and Gonzaga) including the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Island and Babuyan Island) and the northeastern portion of Isabela (Divilacan, Palawan and Maconacon) in Luzon.

Carina

«Carina» had maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150kph, the latest Pagasa advisory indicated.

Based on its track forecast, the typhoon would remain far from the Philippine landmass, and it is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

NDRRMC under red alert

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The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had placed its entire staff under red alert as «Carina,» combined with the southwest monsoon, was expected to continue to bring rain in the northern and western Philippines.

Under the red alert scheme, all NDRRMC personnel will remain on duty 24/7 to respond to emergencies.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said that it is ready to respond to any electricity-related problems arising from the typhoon's effects.

Meralco Vice President and Corporate Communications head Joe Zaldarriaga said their crew are on standby 24/7 ready to respond to any possible problems such as downed electric poles, checking on areas with possible power interruptions, and the like.

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To report power outages and other concerns, customers may reach Meralco through its official social media pages on Facebook (www.facebook.com/meralco) and Twitter (@meralco).

Customers may also text their concerns to 09209716211 and 09175516211 or contact the Meralco Hotline at 16211 and 8631-1111.

WITH ED PAOLO SALTING