Tropical Depression Karding Threatens Isabela-Cagayan Area

Tropical Depression Karding has formed east of Luzon and is poised to slam into the Isabela-Cagayan area in the northeast by Sunday, PAGASA said.

Karding, the 11th storm of the year and the third this September, was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and 55 kph gusts when it was spotted 1,350 kilometers east of Central Luzon at 10 a.m., the state weather bureau said.

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The cyclone was forecast to bring heavy rains to Northern and Central Luzon starting Saturday as it moves westward. Landfall is possible by Sunday in the eastern coast of Isabela or Cagayan, PAGASA said.

Karding will likely remain a tropical depression during its stay inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. It could enhance the southwest monsoon or Habagat and stir rains in the western seaboard of Luzon and Visayas, the weather bureau said.