Carina intensifies into typhoon, leaves Philippines Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — Severe tropical storm Carina has intensified into a typhoon and is expected to maintain strength until it leaves the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 5 p.m. bulletin yesterday, PAGASA said the center of Typhoon Carina was located at 420 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, as it is slowly moving north-northeastward.

At a briefing, PAGASA senior weather specialist Benison Estareja added that heavy to intense rains are expected in many parts of the country as Typhoon Carina (international name Gaemi) continues to enhance the southwest monsoon.

“It is expected to further intensify in the next few days while it is in the northern Philippine Sea where the ocean is hot. Until it exits PAR early Thursday, it will maintain its typhoon category,” Estareja said.

Almost the entire Luzon was affected by rains on Monday.

“Rains were also experienced in portions of Western Visayas, Negros Island Region. Rains also affected Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga peninsula,” he said.

According to Estareja, Typhoon Carina is expected to be located 385 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan this morning, and by Wednesday morning it is expected to be around 360 kilometers southeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

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