MANILA, Philippines — According to the state weather bureau PAGASA, Ramon has intensified into a tropical storm on Wednesday morning, threatening to bring occasional heavy rains over large swaths of areas in Luzon and Visayas.

The country’s 18th storm this year was spotted 385 kilometers east northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar at 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and 80 kph gusts, said PAGASA.

The bureau said it raised the tropical cyclone warning 1 in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, which can be whipped in 36 hours by 30 to 60 km / h winds.

Such regions and the province of Masbate may also experience heavy rain from occasionally starting on Wednesday.

Weather forecast Christ Perez said, on Thursday, Occasionally heavy rains, from Cagayan, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Bicol Area, Apayao, Quezon, Northern Samar, the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora.

PAGASA administrator Dr. Vincent Malano said, Ramon, is expected to land in the Isabela-Cagayan area.

Last week, rainfall from the tail-end of a cold front or cold and warm air movement from the Pacific Ocean flooded northern Cagayan, leaving at least 3 dead, local officials said.

Perez also added, that on Saturday, Ramon will reach the agricultural province.

PAGASA was still monitoring whether or not the storm will raise the water level in Angat Dam, the main water source of Metro Manila.

PAGASA said that the elevation of the Central Luzon dam was at 6 a.m. at 188.47 meters, below its usual maximum level of 210 meters. (Marian Andrei Sinamban/IAMIGO/CNS)