Tropical Storm Ramil strengthens, forecast landfall in Catanduanes

Tropical Storm Ramil, internationally named Fengshen, strengthened over the Philippine Sea and was forecast to make landfall in Catanduanes on Saturday afternoon, with a second possible landfall in Aurora or Quezon on Sunday, the state weather bureau said. In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the storm was about 305 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour, gusts to 80 kph, and moving west at about 20 kph.

PAGASA said Ramil’s center may pass close to or cross several provinces in Bicol before tracking toward northern or central Luzon and exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday. Forecasters warned the storm could intensify further and that shifts in its track remain possible, which would alter expected landfall locations. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised in parts of the Visayas and the Bicol region, and Signal No. 1 covered wide areas of Luzon and the Visayas, bringing the prospect of strong winds across dozens of provinces and municipalities.

Heavy to intense rainfall is expected across large swaths of eastern and...