Dodong a bit stronger over Laoag waters; 7 areas under Signal No. 1

Seven areas in the northern part of Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 1 as Dodong slightly intensified while moving over the coastal waters of Laoag.

According to the tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 8 p.m., rainfall of 50 mm to 100 mm is expected from Friday night to Saturday evening in Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan.

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

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are also possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is currently in effect.

These are: 

• The western portion of Cagayan (Pamplona, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Allacapan, Lasam, Santo Niño, Tuao, Rizal, Piat, Abulug, Ballesteros, Enrile, Solana, Amulung, Alcala) including the western portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Is., Dalupiri Is., and Fuga Is.),
• Apayao,
• Kalinga,
• Abra,
• Mountain Province,
• Ilocos Norte, and
• Ilocos Sur.

Meanwhile, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon may bring gusty conditions over the following areas that are not under any wind signal on Friday:

• MIMAROPA,
• Bicol Region,
• Western Visayas,
• CALABARZON,
• Metro Manila,
• Central Luzon, and
• other areas of Northern Luzon.

On Saturday, the gusty conditions will be felt overthe following areas: 

• MIMAROPA,
• Bicol Region,
• Western Visayas,
• CALABARZON,
• Zambales,
• Bataan,
• Aurora,
• Pangasinan,
• La Union,
• Isabela, and
• Benguet.

“Dodong is forecast to move westward or west-southwestward in the next 6 hours before turning generally northwestward over the West Philippine Sea until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow evening or on Sunday early morning,” PAGASA said,

Dodong may reach the tropical storm category tonight or tomorrow early morning, it added.

It may also further intensify into a severe tropical storm and may reach a peak intensity of 110 km/h over the West Philippine Sea.

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).

"Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. If inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels, avoid navigating in these conditions," PAGASA said. —NB, GMA Integrated News