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MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was raised in more than 40 areas across Luzon yesterday as Tropical Depression Crising maintained its strength while moving toward Northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
PAGASA said the center of Crising was located 335 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 545 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora as of 4 p.m. The system was moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gusts reaching up to 70 kph.
Signal No. 1 was in effect over Batanes, Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino and the northern part of Nueva Vizcaya, which includes the towns of Kasibu, Quezon, Bagabag, Diadi, Bayombong, Solano, Ambaguio, Villaverde, Dupax del Norte, Bambang and Kayapa.
Also under the same warning level are the northern areas of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao and Baler) as well as Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao and the northern portion of Benguet, including Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Kabayan, Bokod, Atok and Kapangan towns.
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, northern La Union (Bangar, Sudipen, Luna, Balaoan, Santol, San Gabriel and Bacnotan), Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, northern towns of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, San Jose, Presentacion, Tinambac, Siruma and Goa) as well as the province of Catanduanes were also covered by the alert.
PAGASA warned that areas under Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours, which could pose minimal to minor threats to life and property.
Winds may be stronger in coastal and mountainous areas, it added.
Crising’s wide wind field extends up to 500 kilometers from its center. It is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 to 24 hours and may reach severe tropical storm category by Saturday. A possible landfall in mainland Cagayan by Friday evening remains likely, with the system forecast to traverse the northern part of Northern Luzon before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon.
The enhanced southwest monsoon is also bringing strong to gale-force gusts in parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, including Metro Manila and the Bicol Region, through Saturday. PAGASA warned that these conditions may be more severe in coastal and upland areas.
A storm surge of 1.0 to 2.0 meters remains possible in low-lying coastal areas of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, Isabela and Ilocos Norte, over the next 48 hours.
Moderate to rough seas are also expected in several coastal areas, with waves reaching up to four meters in Batanes and other eastern seaboards.
PAGASA urged residents and local disaster officials to prepare for possible impacts, particularly in high-risk areas, and to monitor updates from the agency’s regional services.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and their counterparts in the Cordillera region went on red alert as it closely monitors Crising and the intensified monsoon.
The Office of Civil Defense is working closely with local government units and other agencies as the OCD said heavy rainfall may trigger flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable and low-lying areas.
Classes in pre-school and elementary in Cagayan, particularly in Tuguegarao City and in Alcala, Allacapan, Abulug, Ballesteros, Calayan, Enrile, Gattaran, Lal-lo, Lasam, Pampolona, Peñablanca, Piat, Solana and Sta. Praxedes towns, were ordered suspended.
The Central Luzon Police Office also activated its Critical Incident Management Task Group on Natural Disaster as part of the region’s proactive disaster preparedness efforts.
“We need to be ahead of the storm. With strong to gale-force winds expected to hit coastal and upland areas, we must activate all our disaster response mechanisms. Let’s stay ready, stay connected with our partners and look after our communities,” said Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., acting regional police director of Central Luzon.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. urged all government agencies and the public to unite in following precautionary measures and improving disaster preparedness.
OCD officer-in charge Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the agency is ready to provide augmentation to localities that may be affected by Crising.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured yesterday that the department’s relief resources are in place and disaster response teams are already activated for any eventuality.
“The command center of the DSWD is always operating to match the needs of evacuation centers near our warehouse of available goods. What is important to us is fast and immediate assistance to the victims of disaster,” Gatchalian said in a chance interview with reporters.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines placed all 44 CAAP-operated airports under heightened alert as Crising moves closer to the PAR.
As of 1 p.m. yesterday, nine Cebu Pacific and Cebgo flights were cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions. These include Cebgo’s Manila-Naga-Manila and Clark-Masbate-Clark flights as well as Cebu Pacific’s Manila-Virac-Manila flights.
A Cebu Pacific flight from Zamboanga to Manila was also diverted to Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan for safety measures.
In Sultan Kudarat, the Philippine Coast Guard rescued five people stranded in floodwaters in Barangay Barurao 2 in Lebak town. The PCG also monitored three vessels and 229 people stranded in several Eastern Visayas ports.
In Zamboanga City, eight houses and two school buildings were reported damaged by strong winds.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also reported that four vessels anchored in Barangay Maasin for repairs ran aground. None of the crewmen was reported injured. – Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Evelyn Macairan, Roel Pareño, Artemio Dumlao, Jun Elias, Rudy Santos
