By Brian Campued
The Tropical Depression (TD) Crising is expected to intensify into a tropical storm Thursday, with the possibility of reaching severe tropical storm strength by Friday afternoon or evening, July 18, the state weather bureau reported.
In its tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 11:00 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the eye of TD Crising was monitored 470 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.
The tropical depression is moving north-northwestward at 25 kph, with winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.
“Base sa ating latest satellite animation, nasa around 300 km ‘yong radius o ‘yong layo from the center nung kabuuan ng bagyo,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a public briefing, adding that Crising is affecting the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas.
PAGASA has also raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in the following areas in Northern Luzon:
- Southern portion of Batanes (Sabtang, Ivana, Uyugan, Mahatao, and Basco)
- Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Bagabag, Diadi, Bayombong, Solano, Ambaguio, and Villaverde)
- Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, and Dipaculao)
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Ilocos Norte
- Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (City of Vigan, Santa, Caoayan, Bantay, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Cabugao, San Juan, Sinait, Magsingal, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, San Vicente, and Santa Catalina)
- Northern and eastern portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, and Gigmoto)
PAGASA also warned residents in low-lying, coastal localities of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands and Isabela of minimal to moderate risk of storm surge that may reach up to 2 meters.
However, no gale warning has yet been issued, according to Estareja.
According to PAGASA, Crising is forecast to generally move northwestward over the next 48 hours and may make landfall over mainland Cagayan late Friday or early Saturday, July 19, as a severe tropical storm.
It will then traverse the northern portion of Northern Luzon before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility late Saturday or early Sunday, July 20.
Heavy rains are also expected in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran until Friday noon, July 18.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Crising will affect Palawan, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur during the same period.
-jpv
