MANILA, Philippines – Tropical cyclone wind signals were in effect for practically the entire island group of Luzon, and some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, as of Tuesday morning, October 22, with Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) maintaining its strength over the Philippine Sea.
Kristine was last spotted 335 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, at 10 am on Tuesday. The tropical storm slowed down further, moving west northwest at only 10 kilometers per hour from 15 km/h.
It still has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a briefing shortly before noon that Kristine could gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before hitting land.
It is now projected to make landfall in Isabela or the northern part of Aurora on Wednesday evening, October 23, or early Thursday morning, October 24.
Afterwards, it may cross Northern Luzon’s mountainous terrain, where it might slightly weaken, then emerge over the waters west of the Ilocos Region on Thursday afternoon or evening.
“Over the West Philippine Sea, Kristine may reach typhoon category before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility” on Friday, October 25, added PAGASA. Changes in Kristine’s track, however, remain possible.
Here are the areas under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 11 am on Tuesday:
Signal No. 2
Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property
- Catanduanes
Signal No. 1
Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Pangasinan
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Abra
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet
- Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Aurora
- Nueva Ecija
- Tarlac
- Zambales
- Bataan
- Pampanga
- Bulacan
- Metro Manila
- Cavite
- Laguna
- Batangas
- Rizal
- Quezon including Pollilo Islands
- Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island
- Marinduque
- Romblon
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Eastern Samar
- Northern Samar
- Samar
- Leyte
- Biliran
- Southern Leyte
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte including Siargao-Bucas Grande Group
The highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Kristine is now Signal No. 3. It was earlier predicted to be Signal No. 4 due to the possibility that Kristine could rapidly intensify into a typhoon prior to landfall.
“The wind flow coming towards the circulation” of the tropical storm and the northeasterly windflow are also bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:
Tuesday, October 22
- Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Palawan, Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental
Wednesday, October 23
- Mimaropa, Visayas, Mindanao
Thursday, October 24
- Mimaropa, Bicol, Visayas, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental
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Meanwhile, PAGASA updated its rainfall forecast for the next three days. Floods and landslides are likely as Kristine dumps rain in more areas.
Tuesday noon, October 22, to Wednesday noon, October 23
- Intense to torrential rain (more than 200 millimeters): Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Masbate, Samar, Eastern Samar, Isabela, Quezon
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): rest of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Romblon, Marinduque, rest of Visayas
Wednesday noon, October 23, to Thursday noon, October 24
- Intense to torrential rain (more than 200 mm): Isabela, Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, rest of Cagayan Valley, rest of Ilocos Region, Central Luzon
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur
Thursday noon, October 24, to Friday noon, October 25
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): rest of Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro
In addition, there is a moderate to high risk of “life-threatening” storm surges in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan in the next 48 hours.
For coastal waters in the next 24 hours, PAGASA said up to high seas are expected in the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Catanduanes, and Camarines Norte, as well as northern and eastern seaboards of Camarines Sur (waves up to 7 meters high); and seaboards of northern Aurora, Polillo Islands, and Ilocos Norte (waves up to 6 meters high). Travel is risky for all vessels.
Up to very rough seas are expected in the remaining seaboard of the Ilocos Region, eastern seaboard of Albay, eastern seaboard of Sorsogon, and northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar (waves up to 5 meters high). Travel is likewise risky for all vessels.
Up to rough seas are seen in Zambales and the eastern seaboard of Eastern Samar (waves up to 4 meters high); Cagayancillo Island, eastern coast of Quezon, Dinagat Island, seaboard of Southern Leyte, northern and western seaboards of Surigao del Norte, eastern and southern seaboards of Bohol, Agusan del Norte, and Camiguin (waves up to 3.5 meters high); and remaining seaboards of Bicol, remaining seaboards of Quezon, seaboard of Zamboanga del Norte, Romblon, remaining seaboards of the Visayas, western seaboard of Bataan, western seaboard of Occidental Mindoro, and northern and western seaboards of Calamian Island (waves up to 3 meters high). Small vessels should not venture out to sea.
Up to moderate seas will persist in the remaining seaboards of the country (waves up to 2.5 meters high). Small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible.
Kristine is the country’s 11th tropical cyclone for 2024 and the first for October. – Rappler.com