By Brian Campued
“Crising” has left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), shortly after it intensified into a severe tropical storm Saturday morning, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of Crising (international name: Wipha) was last located 235 km west of Itbayat, Batanes.
The storm is moving west-northwestward at 15 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
Despite being outside the PAR, PAGASA said, Crising is still affecting the extreme northern and northern Luzon area as well as enhancing the southwest monsoon (habagat), bringing heavy rains over most of Luzon and parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
“‘Yong extension nung mga kaulapan na associated dito kay Bagyong Crising ay nagdadala pa rin ng mga pag-ulan, kaya meron pa rin tayong nakataas na mga Signal No. 2 and 1,” PAGASA Weather Specialist John Manalo said in a public briefing.
“Also yung impluwensiya nitong southwest monsoon ay nagpapatuloy… ito ay magdadala pa rin ng kaulapan at mga pag-ulan, kasama dyan yung Metro Manila, western part ng Central Luzon, western ng Southern Luzon, western part ng Visayas at Mindanao.”
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is still hoisted over Batanes, the western portion of Babuyan Islands (Dalupiri Islands and Calayan Islands), and Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Pasuquin, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, and Bangui).
Meanwhile, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern portion La Union (Bangar, Sudipen, Luna, Balaoan, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, and San Juan), Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, and the rest of Cagayan remain under TCWS No. 1.
In terms of heavy rains, the provinces of Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur are forecast to experience torrential rains or over 200 mm of rainfall until Sunday noon, July 20, which can cause widespread flooding in affected areas.
Crising will also dump heavy to intense rains (100–200 mm) in Cagayan, Batanes, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and La Union until Sunday, while moderate to heavy (50–100 mm) rains are forecast over Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.
The enhanced southwest monsoon will likewise bring significant amount of rainfall over Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Palawan, Romblon, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Siquijor, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental.
Mariners of small seacrafts are advised against sea travel as a gale warning remains in effect over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon, PAGASA said.
The state weather bureau also warned of “moderate risk” of storm surge with peak heights of up to 2 meters within 12 hours over the low-lying communities of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte.
-jpv
