‘Karding’ continues rapid intensification, poses serious threat to Luzon

Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) continued to rapidly intensify while tracking west-southwest toward the Philippines on Saturday evening, Sept. 24.

Karding was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph, according to the 11 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It noted that the cyclone may continue its rapid intensification in the near-term and may make landfall at or near peak intensity of 150 to 155 kph.

“While it is likely for this tropical cyclone to slightly weaken during its landfall and traverse of Central Luzon due to frictional effects, it is highly likely that Karding will remain a typhoon while crossing the landmass,” PAGASA pointed out.

Landfall possible on Aurora-Quezon area

Typhoon Karding was last seen 430 kilometes east of Baler, Aurora, and was moving west-southwestward at 15 kph.

PAGASA said Karding will move west-southwestward or westward in the next 12 hours before turning more westward toward the east coast of southern portion of Aurora or northern portion of