By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Rains are still expected over Luzon even as typhoon “Karen” (international name: Sanba) continues to move toward the Southern island of Japan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Saturday.

PAGASA Weather Observer Rommy Jalucis said that although “Karen” will not directly affect the country, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to heavy rains over Central Luzon, Metro Manila, the Bicol region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

Residents in these areas are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides, the state weather agency said.

Jalucis said that as of 10 a.m. Saturday, typhoon Karen was located at 660 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes (22.7°N, 128.9°E), packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph.

He said that Karen is forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph and is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Sunday morning.

Jalucis said there is no storm signal raised and no other weather disturbance seen near the Philippine territory.

PAGASA said the estimated rainfall amount is from 15 to 30 millimeters per hour (heavy-intense) within the 550-km diameter of the typhoon.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas due to big waves generated by the typhoon.