Signal No. 2 up over 14 areas in Luzon due to Jolina

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is in effect over 14 areas on Wednesday as Severe Tropical Storm Jolina (international name: Conson) makes its way toward Lobo and San Juan in Batangas for a landfall, PAGASA said in its 8 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin.

The areas under TCWS No. 2 are:

1. Marinduque;
2. the northern and central portions of Oriental Mindoro (Bansud, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Pola, Socorro, Victoria, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Baco, City of Calapan, Naujan);
3. the northern and central portions of Occidental Mindoro (Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Mamburao, Santa Cruz, Sablayan) including Lubang Islands;
4. the central and southern portions of Quezon (General Luna, Macalelon, Sampaloc, Unisan, Pagbilao, Sariaya, Alabat, Pitogo, City of Tayabas, Padre Burgos, Lucban, Gumaca, Agdangan, Plaridel, San Antonio, Candelaria, Atimonan, Quezon, Tiaong, Mauban, Perez, Lucena City, Dolores, Real, Infanta);
5. Batangas;
6. Cavite;
7. Laguna;
8. Rizal;
9. Metro Manila;
10. the southern portion of Bulacan (Pandi, Bulacan, Marilao, Calumpit, Norzagaray, Plaridel, Santa Maria, Balagtas, Bocaue, Bustos, City of Malolos, Angat, Obando, City of San Jose del Monte, Pulilan, City of Meycauayan, Hagonoy, Paombong, Guiguinto, San Rafael, Baliuag);
11. Pampanga;
12. Bataan;
13. Zambales; and
14. Tarlac.

PAGASA said the above mentioned areas may have damaging gale-force to storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours, and this may cause generally light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas:

1. La Union;
2. the southern portion of Benguet (Sablan, Tublay, Bokod, La Trinidad, Baguio City, Itogon, Tuba, Kapangan, Atok);
3. the southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Aritao, Santa Fe, Kayapa);
4. the southern portion of Aurora (Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis, Dingalan);
5. Pangasinan;
6. Nueva Ecija;
7. the rest of Bulacan;
8. the rest of Quezon including Polillo Islands;
9. Camarines Norte;
10. the western portion of Camarines Sur (Ragay, Del Gallego, Lupi, Sipocot, Cabusao, Libmanan, Pasacao, Pamplona);
11. the western portion of Romblon (Odiongan, Romblon, Banton, Santa Maria, Concepcion, San Andres, San Jose, Looc, Ferrol, Alcantara, San Agustin, Calatrava, Corcuera, Santa Fe);
12. the rest of Oriental Mindoro; and
13. the rest of Occidental Mindoro

Areas under TCWS No. 1 have strong winds (strong breeze to near gale conditions) with occasional gusts prevailing or expected within 36 hours, which may cause very light damage to structures and vegetation.

The TCWS No. 1 previously raised over other areas were lifted.

Rainfall

Heavy to intense rains, which may be torrential at times, will pour over Metro Manila, Bataan, Romblon, Marinduque, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains, at times intense, are likely over Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Camarines Sur, the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

PAGASA said flooding (scattered to widespread, including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides "are highly likely especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps."

Storm surge, coastal waters

PAGASA warned of possible storm surge of up to 1.0 meter in the next 24 hours over coastal areas of Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, and Quezon Province. 

This may result in coastal inundation, posting threat to life and property, it added.

"In addition, coastal areas of localities under TCWS, especially those at #2 may also experience coastal flooding due to hazardous surf conditions," PAGASA said.

Coastal waters will be rough to very rough (with wave heights up to 5.5 meters) in the next 24 hours over the seaboards of areas under TCWS No. 2.

"Sea travel is risky for all types of seacrafts over these waters. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor," PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, in areas under TCWS No. 1, the seas may be moderate to rough, with waves reaching up to 2.8 meters tall, over its seaboards as well as the remaining seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas.

Likewise, PAGASA advised mariners of small seacraft to take the necessary precautions. Those without much experience as mariners were advised to avoid navigating.

Eye

At 7 a.m., the eye or center of Jolina was located over the coastal waters of San Juan, Batangas (13.6°N, 121.4°E).

It has maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 115 km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa.

Jolina was moving west northwest at 15 km/h. PAGASA said the severe tropical storm slightly weakened.

From its center, strong winds or higher than that category are extending outwards up to 180 km.

The landfall in the vicinity of Lobo or San Juan in Batangas may occur in the next one to two hours, PAGASA said.

From there, Jolina will traverse the Batangas-Cavite area then emerge over the mouth of Manila Bay on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

It will then make landfall in the vicinity of Bataan Peninsula.

At this time, Jolina may weaken and be downgraded to tropical storm category.

On Thursday morning, Jolina is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea where it is expected to re-intensify. 

From the West Philippine Sea, Jolina will head toward the southern China-northern Vietnam area.

Jolina is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary measures to protect life and property.

The next weather bulletin will be issued at 11 a.m., PAGASA said.

Effects

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 12 fishermen were reported missing in Catbalogan City. 

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said 1,987 families or 8,583 people have been evacuated from their homes to 46 evacuation centers in the Bicol, Western Visayas, and Easter Visayas regions.

Water was to be released from Ipo Dam in Bulacan starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday after heavy rains led to a rise in the dam's water level.

Ambuklao and Binga dams in Benguet also opened their gates to release water to avoid spilling.

Classes were canceled in some areas due to the bad weather caused by Jolina. —KG/RSJ, GMA News