Continued rains over northern Luzon as tropical depression Sarah trails typhoon Ramon

TROPICAL CYCLONE Ramon (international name: Kalmaegi) has maintained its strength as it hovers off the northeastern side of Luzon, weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. update yesterday. Landfall was predicted in the evening or Wednesday morning in the northern part of Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands. PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said typhoon Ramon is expected to weaken after it hits land. Meanwhile, tropical depression Sarah, which started as a low pressure area, was already 710 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. It is moving faster than Ramon at a north-westward direction and is forecasted to affect the same areas. Mr. Estareja said Sarah is likely to strengthen as it nears land. Ramon is expected to be out of the Philippine area by Thursday afternoon.