Heavy rains are expected over northern Luzon today as tropical storm “Kabayan” (international name Peipah) continued to batter the area, the weather bureau said last night.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kabayan was expected to hit land at Casiguran, Aurora between 7 to 8 p.m. yesterday.

In a press conference in Quezon City, Nathaniel Servando, Pagasa deputy director for research and development, warned residents against possible flashfloods, landslides and storm surges in areas under storm signals.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday public storm warning signal no. 3 was hoisted over Isabela, Quirino, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, and northern Aurora.

Storm signal no. 2 was up in Cagayan, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Pangasinan, and the rest of Aurora.

Signal no. 1 was raised over the Babuyan group of islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, northern Quezon and Polillo island.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Kabayan was spotted at 90 kilometers east-northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, packing winds of 115 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph.

It was forecast to move west-southwest at 24 kph.

Kabayan is forecast to be at 80 kms west of Dagupan City this afternoon; 370 kms west of Dagupan tomorrow afternoon; and at 610 kms west of the city or over the South China by Wednesday afternoon.

Servando said Kabayan is expected to weaken once it hits land.

It is unlikely to further intensify into a typhoon based on its present speed and direction, he added.

The weather disturbance is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday.

He also advised residents in Bicol against landslides and mudslides as light to moderate rains are expected to prevail over the area.

Light to moderate rainfall is likewise expected over Metro Manila, he added.

Pagasa said the Batanes group of islands and Babuyan islands will continue to experience strong winds with rough to very rough seas due to the surge of the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan.

The surge of the northeast monsoon is expected to affect the northern and western seaboards of Luzon, the agency added.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out to sea while bigger sea vessels are alerted against moderate to high waves.

Kabayan is the 11th tropical  storm to enter the country this year and first this month. It is also the second storm to make landfall this year.

Servando said based on statistics, the usual number of tropical storms crossing the country from January to October is seven.

As of Oct. 7 only tropical storm “Hanna” landed over northern Luzon.

Two tropical storms are expected to hit the country this November.

Nathaniel Cruz, Pagasa weather branch chief, said tropical storms during the latter part of the year are intense and land falling.

Storms during this period usually reach typhoon intensity and the usual paths are central Luzon and eastern Visayas, he added.