By: Reigh John Bench Almendras
Photo from: PAGASA
Severe Tropical Storm Marce has intensified to a typhoon, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday.
“As of 10:00 AM today, Typhoon MARCE [YINXING] #MarcePH Update. All are advised to monitor updates from DOST-PAGASA,” PAGASA said in a Facebook post.
As of 10 a.m., Marce is traveling 640 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora moving west northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour (kph). It now packs winds of 120 kph near the center and gusts up to 150 kph.
According to PAGASA, in preparation for the storm's powerful winds, wind signals may be issued across portions of Northern Luzon starting Tuesday. The highest wind alert that can be issued is signal number 4.
TCW Signal No. 1
PAGASA has placed numerous areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:
- Batanes; Cagayan including Babuyan Islands;
the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Maconacon, San Pablo, Palanan, Dinapigue, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Ilagan City, Divilacan, San Mariano);
- The northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Calanasan, Flora, Pudtol); and
- The northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Vintar).
Under Signal Number 1, classes in kindergarten are automatically suspended, but some areas in Cagayan have adjusted the coverage of class suspensions due to the possible effects of Marce.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is on a sustained heightened alert due to Typhoon Marce.
In Metro Manila, low chances of rainfall is expected, and no suspensions were raised as of this writing.