MANILA, Philippines — Signal No. 1 has been raised in parts of Luzon as “Kristine” intensified into a tropical storm while moving northwestward to north-northwestward, the state-run weather agency said on Tuesday.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 1 is up over the eastern and central portions of mainland Cagayan (Piat, Santo Nino, Camalaniugan, Tuao, Lal-Lo, Enrile, Gonzaga, Alcala, Amulung, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Buguey, Solana, Rizal, Santa Ana, Tuguegarao City, Gattaran, Peñablanca, Iguig, Lasam, Aparri and Allacapan), Isabela, Quirino, the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda), Aurora, the eastern portion of Rizal (Tanay, Pililla and Jala-Jala), the eastern portion of Laguna (Majayjay, Magdalena, Pila, Santa Cruz, Pagsanjan, Luisiana, Cavinti, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac, Nagcarlan and Liliw), the 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, Lucena City, Lucban and City of Tayabas) including Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island in Luzon.
Signal No. 1 was also raised over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte and also over Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao – Bucas Grande Group in Mindanao, the state weather bureau said.
The center of the tropical depression was estimated some 390 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes while moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph, the latest Pagasa bulletin said.
The highest wind signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Kristine is Signal No. 4, it added.
Citing its data and analysis, Pagasa said the tropical storm may make landfall over Isabela Wednesday morning.
“Changes in forecast track are not ruled out, depending on the movement of the weather systems surrounding this tropical cyclone in the next few days,” Pagasa administrator Nathaniel Servando said.
Kristine is likely to reach severe tropical storm category also on Wednesday and will further intensify into a typhoon on Friday, the Pagasa chief said.
Pagasa said the trough or extension of Kristine has been affecting Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon and Mindanao where scattered or isolated rains would be experienced.
