Typhoon Carina intensifies, offshore; Batanes under Signal No. 2

Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) has intensified offshore and is moving north-northwestward.

As of Tuesday afternoon, its center was located 325 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h and gustiness of up to 185 km/h.

Batanes remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, with gale-force winds that may bring minor to moderate threats.

Signal No. 1 is in effect for Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, eastern Isabela, northern Apayao, and northern Ilocos Norte, with minimal to minor threats.

The typhoon's outer circulation may still bring strong winds to portions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region.

Heavy to intense rains may continue in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern mainland Cagayan, and Ilocos Sur until Wednesday afternoon, July 24.

Carina has also enhanced the southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate to intense rainfall over western Luzon through Thursday.