By Alec Go
Tropical Depression Florita has intensified into a tropical storm with light to moderate with at times heavy rains expected over areas in Northern Luzon, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Based on its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Florita intensified into a tropical storm at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, and may further intensify before making a landfall.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been raised over the following areas:
- Eastern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Santa Ana)
- Eastern and central portions of Isabela (Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Quirino, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, Alicia, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, Dinapigue)
- Extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)
- Northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela)
TCWS No. 1 was also hoisted over the following areas:
- Rest of Cagayan
- Rest of Isabela
- Rest of Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet
- La Union
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis) Northern portion of Polillo Island (Panukulan, Burdeos)
The weather bureau said the list of areas under TCWS may be expanded and upgraded as the tropical storm “moves closer.”
“There is a potential for slight weakening as Florita crosses the northern portion of Northern Luzon due to frictional effects of the rugged terrain, but the tropical cyclone will likely remain Tropical Storm throughout the passage over land,” PAGASA said.
“Outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, this tropical cyclone may intensify into a severe tropical storm and may reach a peak intensity of 95 km/h,” it added.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are forecast over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union on Monday.
For Tuesday, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains may take place over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region, while moderate to heavy rains are forecast over the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, and the rest of Cagayan region. Central Luzon may also experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
Flooding and landslides in affected high risk areas are also expected. – gb
