Metro Manila, Philippines – The weather bureau raised an extreme heavy rainfall alert for Cagayan, Isabela, and Catanduanes on Thursday, July 17, brought by Tropical Depression Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also raised Signal No. 1 over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Aurora, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of La Union, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
“Napakalawak ng ulap ng bagyo ng ‘Crising,’ may tumatama na sa northern, central, at southern Luzon area, pati hilagang bahagi ng Eastern Visayas,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said.
[Translation: “Crising” has a wide rain band covering northern, central, and southern Luzon areas, as well as the northern section of Eastern Visayas.]
PAGASA also told people in the following areas to prepare for significant rainfall.
Heavy to intense rain: Apayao, Kalinga, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur should expect heavy to intense rain.
Moderate to heavy rain: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran.
The bureau warned people in coastal areas in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Isabela of minimal to moderate risk of storm surge, advising them to stay clear of the coast, cancel marine activities, and move to higher ground.
PAGASA said “Crising” was 545 kilometers (km) east of Baler, Aurora, with maximum winds of 55 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
The bureau said a tropical storm category may be expected on Thursday evening or early Friday morning, intensifying into a severe tropical storm on Saturday as “Crising” bears down on northern Luzon.
