MANILA. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that Tropical Depression Kristine may intensify into a typhoon before making landfall in Northern Luzon later this week.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Monday, PAGASA reported that Kristine is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm within the next 12 hours. The weather bureau also forecasts that Kristine could make landfall over Northern Luzon either on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.
Seventeen areas have already been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as the storm slightly slowed down. The areas affected include:
Luzon:
- The southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue)
- Aurora
- Northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, General Nakar, Pitogo, San Francisco, Calauag, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real) including the Polillo Islands
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands
Visayas:
- Eastern Samar
- Northern Samar
- Samar
- Leyte
- Biliran
- Southern Leyte
Mindanao:
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands
PAGASA cautioned that the highest wind signal that may be hoisted during Kristine’s passage is Signal No. 4, should the storm continue to intensify.
As of the latest report, Kristine was located approximately 870 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas. The tropical depression is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts reaching up to 70 kph, and is moving westward at a speed of 15 kph.
Kristine is expected to bring strong to gale-force winds across several parts of the country, including Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Negros Island Region, Northern Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental on Tuesday.
Authorities are advising residents in affected areas to prepare for possible flooding, landslides, and strong winds as the storm approaches. PAGASA will continue to monitor the storm and provide timely updates as Kristine progresses toward land.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
