By Brian Campued
Tropical Storm Crising slightly intensified while moving towards mainland Cagayan–Babuyan Islands area, where it may make landfall Friday afternoon or evening, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Crising, which intensified into a tropical storm early Friday morning, was located 195 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The storm packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph while moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.
“Bagaman nasa around 195 km silangan ng Tuguegarao City ‘tong tinatayang sentro nito, mapapansin natin ‘yong malawak na kaulapan ay tumatama na nga sa nakararaming bahagi ng northern Luzon, ilang bahagi ng Central at Southern Luzon area,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said in a public briefing.
Based on PAGASA’s track forecast, Crising will move generally northwestward within the next 12 hours and may reach severe tropical storm strength by Saturday morning or afternoon, July 19, before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility.
PAGASA raised the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over 10 provinces in Northern Luzon:
- Batanes
- Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Northern and central portions of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Danglas, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, and Lacub)
- Eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin and Paracelis)
- Eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista)
- Ilocos Norte
- Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, Magsingal, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Caoayan, City of Vigan, and Santa)
The rest of Northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon, meanwhile, were placed under Signal No. 1:
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Rest of Mountain Province
- Rest of Ifugao
- Rest of Abra
- Benguet
- Rest of Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Northern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, and Bugallon)
- Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, and Maria Aurora)
- Northeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan and Pantabangan)
From Friday until Saturday noon, Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) will dump up to torrential rains over Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, heavy to intense rains are forecast over Batanes, Isabela, Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.
The two weather systems will also bring moderate to heavy rains over Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Oriental, and Zamboanga del Norte.
Residents living in low-lying, coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur are also warned that storm surge may reach up to 2 meters.
A gale warning was also in effect over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon. Mariners of small seacrafts, including motor bancas are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor due to rough to very rough sea conditions.
-jpv
