13 areas under Signal 3 as severe tropical storm ‘Kristine’ churns into Isabela — PAGASA

Metro Manila, Philippines — “Kristine” (international name: Trami) has intensified into a severe tropical storm, government meteorologists said on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 23, as it churns into Isabela and causes floods in portions of Luzon.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Signal No. 3 is up in Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the central portion of Abra, Benguet, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central portions of Aurora, the northern portion of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, La Union, and the central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur.

Signal No. 2 was raised over Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Apayao, the rest of Abra, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.

These were the localities under Signal No. 1:

+ Luzon: Batanes, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands;

+ Visayas: Aklan, Capiz, Antique including Caluya Islands, Iloilo, Guimaras, the northern portion of Negros Occidental, the northern portion of Negros Oriental, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte;

+ Mindanao: Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao-Bucas Grande Group

PAGASA said “Kristine” would further strengthen as it approaches Isabela on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning.

Intense to torrential rains are expected over Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Aurora, and Quezon, it said, while Mimaropa, the Visayas, and Mindanao may encounter strong to gale-force gusts.

A storm surge warning is up in the coastal communities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora, and Quezon.

The tropical cyclone is seen to weaken as it crosses the mountains of northern Luzon, and re-intensify as it leaves the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday.

“Kristine” was spotted 175 kilometers (km) east of Echague, Isabela, moving northwestward at 20 km per hour (kph).

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

A regional police report as of 1 p.m identified 673 flooded areas in Bicol, and at least three people were killed.

Meanwhile, the agriculture department said the storm may inflict damage to around one million hectares of agricultural land.