Metro Manila, Philippines – The weather bureau placed 16 areas in Luzon under Signal No. 1 on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 16, due to Tropical Depression Mirasol.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said lowest storm alert covers the following:
Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
PAGASA warned of minimal to minor impact from strong winds.
The bureau said Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Aurora may encounter heavy rain from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon.
It said “Mirasol” may hit land in Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora by Wednesday morning.
“However, a more north northwestward or northward movement will likely result in no landfall scenario and will just move over the coastal waters of Northern and Central Luzon,” state meteorologists said.
“Mirasol” developed into a tropical depression at 2 p.m.
It was last spotted 210 kilometers (km) east northeast of Infanta, Quezon. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
“Mirasol” is expected to be over the Luzon Strait by Thursday and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the afternoon or evening.
The weather bureau earlier said it is also monitoring a low pressure area 655 kilometers west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, but it is unlikely to become a tropical cyclone.
