Typhoon Carina continues to intensify Wednesday morning and may reach super typhoon status before it makes landfall in Taiwan, weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 10 a.m., the center of the eye of Typhoon Carina was estimated based on all available data at 345 km North Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

Packing 165 kph winds and gusts of up to 205 kph, the typhoon is forecast to steadily intensify and may reach its peak intensity 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. Possibility of reaching Super Typhoon category prior to landfall in Taiwan is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2, forecasting gale-force winds of up to 88 kph, remains in effect over Batanes.

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, Gonzaga), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams)

The weather bureau said some 50-100 mm in accumulated rainfall is forecast to affect Batanes and Babuyan Islands Wednesday to Thursday noon.

PAGASA warned the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Carina will bring moderate to intense rainfall over various localities in the western portion of Luzon today through Friday.

Habagat enhanced by Carina will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):

Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the eastern portion of Isabela, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, BARMM, and Davao Region

The local government of Marikina earlier said it will implement forced evacuations after the Marikina River water level reached the third alarm of 18 meters as of 10 a.m. 

Marikina River water level reaches 18 meters, forced evacuation in effect

PAGASA hydrologist Elmer Caringal warned several villages in Quezon City and Valenzuela are set to experience more floods as La Mesa Dam nears overflow level of 80.15 meters. 

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, La Mesa Dam water level was at 78.15 meters.

Areas and barangays that will be affected once the dam reaches overflow are Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Capri, Goodwill Homes, Santa Quiteria, and Barangay San Bartolome in Quezon City.

Some areas in Valenzuela and Malabon will also be affected in case the dam overflows, he said.

Caringal said  the Binga Dam in Benguet and the Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan have already released water after reaching spill levels.     

He noted water from the Binga Dam will reach San Roque Dam, which has low elevation and needs more water.

Ipo Dam has opened 1 gate at 0.30m as of 11 a.m, with the following areas likely to be affected:

Norzagaray

Angat

San Rafael

Bustos

Baliuag

Pulilan

Plaridel

Calumpit

Paombong

Hagonoy