By Brian Campued
Tropical Depression Crising is forecast to continuously intensify up to severe tropical storm strength as it moves over the Philippine Sea, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 11:00 a.m. update Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Crising” was located 725 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes and is moving westward at 35 kilometers per hour.
It also packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Despite developing into a tropical depression, PAGASA has not yet raised any tropical cyclone wind signal due to Crising. However, it will drench the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas, including Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran until Thursday morning, July 17.
Based on PAGASA’s track forecast, Crising may reach tropical storm category by Thursday morning and will further intensify into a severe tropical storm by Friday, July 18, before passing close to or making landfall over Babuyan Islands.
“A slight change in the succeeding forecast track may also suggest a landfall scenario over mainland Cagayan,” PAGASA said.
“Further intensification up to typhoon category prior to approach is not ruled out.”
Crising will also enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), bringing moderate to heavy rains over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Zamboanga del Norte until Thursday noon.
Heavy to intense rain, meanwhile, will be experienced in Catanduanes, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, and Negros Occidental from Thursday noon to Friday noon due to the combined effects of Crising and habagat.
Moderate to heavy rains are likewise forecast over Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte during the same period.
