4 areas under Signal No. 2 as Florita intensifies into tropical storm

Four areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as Tropical Depression Florita intensified into a tropical storm on Monday morning, according to PAGASA.

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said the center of the eye of Florita was estimated at 215 km east of Casiguran, Aurora, and was moving west southwestward at 15 km/h packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.

Based on PAGASA's forecast track, Florita may make landfall either in the vicinity of the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela on Tuesday afternoon.

"On the forecast track, the tropical cyclone is forecast to maintain this heading until it makes landfall in the vicinity of the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela tomorrow afternoon," it said.

Under TCWS No. 2 are the following:

• the eastern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Santa Ana),
• the eastern portion of Isabela (Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Quirino, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, Alicia, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, Dinapigue),
• the extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), and
• the northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela)

PAGASA said winds in these areas "may reach gale-force in strength."

Meanwhile, the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• the rest of Cagayan,
• the rest of Isabela,
• the rest of Quirino,
• Nueva Vizcaya,
• Apayao,
• Abra,
• Kalinga,
• Mountain Province,
• Ifugao,
• Benguet,
• La Union,
• Ilocos Norte,
• Ilocos Sur,
• the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis), and
• the northern portion of Polillo Island (Panukulan, Burdeos)

These areas, PAGASA said, may experience "strong breeze to near gale strength winds."

PAGASA said Florita may further intensify before landfall.

"Further intensification is likely prior to its landfall. There is a potential for slight weakening as FLORITA crosses the northern portion of Northern Luzon due to frictional effects of the rugged terrain, but the tropical cyclone will likely remain Tropical Storm throughout the passage over land," it said.

For Monday, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.

On Tuesday, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region are expected, while moderate to heavy rains are likely over the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

"Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Central Luzon," PAGASA said. 

Class suspensions

As a precaution against Florita, Cagayan governor Manuel Mamba announced the cancellation of classes in the province for elementary students on Monday.

On the other hand, classes in all levels in both public and private schools are canceled in Tuguegarao City. —KBK, GMA News