Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) — Disaster response officials raised the alert warning to “blue” as tropical storm “Jolina” (International name: Pakhar) was seen to make landfall in Aurora province Friday evening.
Code “blue” means officials from various government agencies, as well local units of the police and military, should report to their assignments round-the-clock shifts in preparation for a calamity.
“Jolina” will bring moderate to heavy rains over most parts of Luzon, and is expected to hit the province of Aurora between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. today
It was packing winds of 80 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 95 kph as it moves west northwest at 19 kph towards northern and central Luzon, according to the weather bureau.
In its 5 p.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration said rain may be moderate to heavy in most parts of Luzon, especially within a 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical storm.
Signal number 2 is up over Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Abra, La Union, and Nueva Vizcaya.
Signal number 1 is up over Cagayan including Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, as well as northern Quezon including Polillo island, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
Disaster relief goods are ready for distribution through the local Social Welfare offices.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said residents in the path of the storm should be alert for possible flashfloods and landslides.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the power grid operator, said precautionary measures are in place to minimize “Jolina’s” impact on power supply and facilities.
Residents near Binga dam in Benguet and Magat dam in Isabela were advised on possible flooding as the dams’ gates will open at 5 p.m.
Tourist activities such as hiking, trekking, and caving are temporarily suspended in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
PAGASA is also warning vessels against sailing off the coast of northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of central and southern Luzon.
