PAGASA: Dodong maintains strength; 8 Luzon areas under Signal No. 1

Eight areas in Luzon remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Dodong maintained its strength while moving over northwestern Cagayan, state weather forecasters PAGASA said Friday.

In its 2 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Dodong was in the vicinity of Sanchez Mira, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 75 kph, and a central pressure of 1000 hPa.

Dodong was moving northwestwards at 15 kph with strong winds extending outwards up to 150 kms from the center.

Signal 1 was hoisted over the following areas:

• Cagayan
• Apayao
• Ilocos Norte
• Abra
• Ilocos Sur
• Mountain Province
• Kalinga
• Northern portion of Isabela (Mallig, Quezon, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, San Pablo, Maconacon)

PAGASA said 50-100 mm of accumulated rainfall was expected in Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra Benguet, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Flooding and rain-induced landslides were possible, especially in areas that were highly or very susceptible to these hazards, as identified in hazard maps and in localities that have experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days.

Meanwhile, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habgat may bring gusty conditions on Friday over MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, CALABARZON, Metro Manila, and other Northern and Central Luzon areas.

Coastal water hazards

“In the next 24 hours, Dodong and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring moderate to rough seas over the eastern (1.5 to 2.5 m) and western (2.0 to 3.5 m) seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon (2.0 to 3.5 m),” PAGASA said.

It advised mariners of small seacrafts to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. If inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels, avoid navigating in these conditions.

Track, intensity outlook

Dodong is forecast to move westward or west-northwestward across the northern portion of mainland Northern Luzon and may emerge over the waters west of the Ilocos Provinces later this afternoon or evening.

“Afterwards, Dodong will move generally northwestward over the West Philippine Sea until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) [Saturday] evening or on Sunday. Outside the PAR, Dodong will move generally west-northwestward over the waters south of southern China,” said PAGASA.

“Dodong will remain as a tropical depression during the remainder of its traverse of mainland Northern Luzon. It may reach tropical storm category by tomorrow afternoon or evening while over the West Philippine Sea,” it added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News