By Brian Campued
Tropical Depression Bising slightly intensified over the sea west of extreme Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Friday.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Bising” was last monitored at 280 kilometers west-northwest of Calayan, Cagayan and is moving west-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour.
The tropical depression packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Due to this, PAGASA raised the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over the following areas:
- Western portion of Babuyan Islands (Calayan Island and Dalupiri Island)
- Western portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Dumalneg, Bacarra, Laoag City, Paoay, Currimao, Badoc, and Pinili)
- Northwestern portion of Ilocos Sur (Caoayan, City of Vigan, Santa Catalina, San Vicente, Santo Domingo, Magsingal, San Juan, Cabugao, Sinait, and San Ildefonso)
“So itong mga lugar na ‘yan, posibleng makaranas ng mga pag-ulan at paminsan-minsang pagbugso ng hangin na may katamtaman hanggang sa maalong mga karagatan,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said in a public briefing, warning of possible minimal to minor impacts from strong winds brought by Bising.
Based on the forecast track, Bising will continue to slowly move generally northwestward in the next 12 hours and may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Friday afternoon.
However, PAGASA said “re-entry to the western boundary of the PAR is possible” by Sunday morning, July 6, and may intensify into a tropical storm.
The agency added that Bising “may exit again” through the northern boundary of the PAR by Monday, July 7.
It further clarified that another scenario wherein Bising may shift southward is not yet ruled out, resulting in the hoisting of TCWS No. 2 over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
Meanwhile, Bising will bring heavy to intense rains (100–200 mm) over Ilocos Norte until Saturday, July 5; and moderate to heavy rains (50–100 mm) in Batanes, Cagayan, and Apayao.
Moderate to heavy rains are also expected over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan due to the southwest monsoon (habagat).
Flooding in low-lying areas as well as landslides are likely to occur in areas mentioned above.
Both habagat and the periphery of Bising will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and Antique.
-jpv
