Signal No. 1 still up over Batanes, Babuyan Islands

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still raised over Batanes, Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan as Tropical Depression Carina maintains its strength while moving towards Luzon Strait, according to PAGASA on Monday afternoon.

“The center of Tropical Depression ‘Carina’ is forecast to move northwestward towards the Luzon Strait, passing roughly 100 km off the northeastern tip of Luzon and near Babuyan Islands and Batanes,” the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin.

“However, accounting for the forecast track probability cone, a landfall scenario over these areas remains a possibility,” it added.

PAGASA also said the tropical depression is forecast to weaken into a low pressure area on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said affected towns in Cagayan are Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri, Lal-lo, Gattaran and Baggao.

The areas under Signal No. 1 may experience occasional gusts due to the tropical depression, PAGASA said.

The weather agency added that moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon in the next 24 hours.

“Those with small seacraft are advised not to venture out to sea,” PAGASA warned.

As of 4 p.m., the center of Carina was estimated at 165 kilometers East of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km per hour. It is moving west northwestward at 15 km per hour.

Heavy rainfall outlook

PAGASA said Carino would bring scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga and Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be expected over Central Luzon and the rest of Northern Luzon.

Flooding and rain-induced landslides may also occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, PAGASA said.

Forecast positions

By Tuesday afternoon, the tropical depression is expected to be 50 km west of Basco, Batanes

By Wednesday afternoon, it will move to 340 km north of Basco, Batanes. -NB, GMA News