Signal No. 1 up over 12 areas in Luzon due to Tropical Depression Florita

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised on Monday over 12 areas as Tropical Depression Florita maintained its strength, PAGASA said in its early morning bulletin.

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas:

• Cagayan;
• Isabela;
• Quirino;
• Nueva Vizcaya;
• Apayao;
• Abra;
• Kalinga;
• Mountain Province;
• Ifugao;
• Ilocos Norte;
• Ilocos Sur; and
• the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao).

These areas are experiencing strong winds or may do so within the next 36 hours.

At 4 a.m., the center of Florita was located 310 km east of Casiguran, Aurora.

Florita has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.

The tropical depression is moving west southwestward at 20 km/h over the Philippine Sea east of Cagayan.

From Florita's center, strong winds are extending outwards up to 220 km.

Florita is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela on Tuesday afternoon, based on the forecast track of PAGASA.

Rainfall

Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, and Aurora may have light to moderate to at times heavy rains until Monday night.

From Monday night to Tuesday night, however, heavy to intense to at times torrential rains are forecast over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region. The northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, and the rest of Cagayan Valley will have moderate to heavy rains, while the rest of Central Luzon may experience light to moderate to at times heavy rains.

PAGASA said scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas prone to these hazards.

Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and Visayas meanwhile will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough or extension of Florita and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). Flash floods or landslides may occur during times of moderate to heavy rains.

Mindanao, on the other hand, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. During severe thunderstorms, flash floods or landslides may result.

Winds

Areas under TCWS will experience strong breeze to near gale strength winds.

"In the next 24 hours, gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale strength may be experienced (especially in the coastal and mountainous areas) over Bicol Region, Batangas, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Antique, and Aklan as FLORITA begins to enhance the prevailing Southwest Monsoon," PAGASA said.

The weather bureau said more areas may be placed under TCWS, and even TCWS No. 2 may be raised as Florita moves closer. The highest TCWS to be raised may be 3, PAGASA said, as Florita passes through Luzon.

Coastal waters

Moderate to rough seas, with waves reaching up to 3.1 meters will be experienced over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon in the next 24 hours.

Sea travel for small seacraft may be risky.

"Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA said.

The seas will be slight to moderate, meanwhile, in the seaboards of Visayas, the rest of Luzon, and Mindanao.

Track

Florita is expected to continue going west southwestward or westward in the next 12 hours.

Then it will turn west northwestward or northwestward on Monday afternoon or evening.

After it makes landfall possibly in the vicinity of the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela on Tuesday afternoon, Florita "will traverse the Babuyan Channel and may pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands tomorrow evening or Wednesday early morning of Wednesday before emerging over the West Philippine Sea."

PAGASA said Florita may intensify and reach the tropical storm category on Monday.

It will then reach peak intensity of 95 km/h on Wednesday morning or afternoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Florita may also slightly weaken as it crosses the northern portion of Northern Luzon, but it is expected to remain a tropical storm as it passes over land.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take the necessary precautions.

The next bulletin will be issued by PAGASA at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, sunrise was at 5:43 a.m., while sunset will be at 6:15 p.m.

Effects

Two Luzon dams had one gate open each on Monday morning as more rains are expected due to Florita.

Binga Dam in Benguet had one gate open at 0.30 meter, while Magat Dam, which straddles Isabela and Ifugao, had one gate open at 0.50 meter at 6 a.m. —KG, GMA News