
‘CARINA’ is now a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. (PAGASA satellite image)
Tropical cyclone Carina has become even stronger and is now a Super Typhoon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said on Wednesday afternoon.
“At 3:00 PM today, the center of the eye of Super Typhoon Carina was estimated based on all available data at 395 km North of Itbayat, Batanes (24.3°N, 122.3°E) with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h. It is moving Northwestward at 20 km/h,” PAGASA said.
Forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in official hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days.
Carina is forecast to make landfall over the northern portion of Taiwan this evening. On the track forecast, the super typhoon will cross the rugged terrain of Taiwan and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow (25 July) morning. Outside the PAR Region, CARINA will cross the Taiwan Strait and make its final landfall over southeastern China tomorrow afternoon or evening.
Carina is has reached its peak intensity as Super Typhoon prior to its landfall over Taiwan due to favorable environment. Its landfall over northern Taiwan will trigger a weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period.