Bicol Region, Philippines – Tropical Storm Ramil, known internationally as Fengshen, made landfall in Gubat, Sorsogon, at 4:10 PM on Saturday, October 18, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Bicol region. As of 7 PM, the storm was situated near Malinao, Albay, and moving west northwest at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour (km/h).
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Ramil is currently maintaining maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 110 km/h. There is a possibility that the storm could be downgraded to a tropical depression as it continues to traverse the Bicol landmass.
Ramil is expected to continue its path across Bicol throughout Saturday evening, before emerging over the waters near Quezon’s Polillo Islands early Sunday morning, October 19. The storm is projected to pass close to or over Polillo Islands and potentially make its final landfall in Aurora on Sunday morning or early afternoon. Other areas under consideration for the final landfall include northern Quezon and southern Isabela. PAGASA has not ruled out the possibility of slight intensification before the final landfall.
After crossing the landmass, Ramil is expected to move across Northern Luzon, where it may either maintain its strength or slightly weaken due to the mountainous terrain. The storm is then projected to emerge over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union on Sunday evening.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions and stay updated with the latest weather advisories from PAGASA. Local authorities are on alert and have initiated preparations to ensure the safety of communities in the path of the storm.