By Brian Campued
Several areas in Luzon are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Gener maintained its strength on Monday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
In its tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 2:00 p.m., PAGASA said Gener was located 305 kilometers (km) east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 325 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, moving north northwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).
The tropical depression packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
The state weather bureau warns of strong winds that may cause minimal to minor impacts in the following areas under TCWS No. 1:
- Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Abra
- Ifugao
- Mountain Province
- Benguet
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Pangasinan
- Zambales
- Tarlac
- Nueva Ecija
- Aurora
- Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, and Real), including Polillo Islands
In its track forecast, PAGASA said Gener could make landfall in the vicinity of Isabela or Aurora within the next 24 hours and will emerge over the coastal waters of La Union or Pangasinan on Tuesday.
“Gener will likely cross the landmass of mainland Luzon as a tropical depression, although the possibility of reaching tropical storm category prior to landfall is not ruled out,” it also said.
“Over the West Philippine Sea, Gener may reach tropical storm category by tomorrow evening or on Wednesday,” it added.
Both Gener and Tropical Storm Pulasan, which is still outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Gale warning has also been raised over the western and eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, the seaboards of Visayas, as well as the western, northern, and eastern seaboards of Mindanao.
Heavy rainfall warning
Meanwhile, PAGASA also raised a heavy rainfall warning over several areas due to rains brought by Gener.
Flooding and landslides are possible in the following areas under Yellow Warning:
- Babuyan Group of Islands
- Mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Sanchez Mira, and Santa Praxedes)
- Isabela (Dinapigue, Divilacan, Maconacon, and Palanan)
- Ilocos Norte (Adams, Bacarra, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Pasuquin, Vintar, and Burgos)
Light to moderate to at times heavy rains are also affecting the rest of Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Ilocos Norte, portions of Abra, Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, portions of Pangasinan, LaUnion, Benguet, and portions of Apayao, which may persist for two to three hours and affect nearby areas. – av