Signal No. 1 up as LPA east of Aurora develops into TD Gener

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted over 11 areas in Luzon after the low pressure area east of Aurora developed into Tropical Depression Gener, state weather bureau PAGASA said Monday.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• the eastern and central portions of Mainland Cagayan (Piat, Santo Niño, Camalaniugan, Tuao, Lal-Lo, Enrile, Gonzaga, Alcala, Amulung, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Buguey, Solana, Rizal, Santa Ana, Tuguegarao City, Gattaran, Peñablanca, Iguig, Lasam, Aparri, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Abulug)
• Isabela
• Quirino 
• the eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda, Kasibu, Dupax del Norte, Quezon, Diadi, Bayombong, Ambaguio, Bagabag, Villaverde, Aritao, Bambang, Dupax del Sur, Solano)
• the eastern and southern portions of Apayao (Conner, Flora, Pudtol, Santa Marcela, Luna, Kabugao)
• Kalinga
• the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Sadanga, Bontoc, Natonin, Sabangan, Barlig)
• Ifugao
• Aurora
• the eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Bongabon, Gabaldon, Laur, General Tinio, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City)
• the northern portion of Mainland Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real) including Polillo Islands

PAGASA said Gener was located 315 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The tropical depression was moving westward at 10 kph.

Gener is seen to make landfall over Isabela or Aurora in the next 24 hours and intensify as a tropical storm on Wednesday after emerging over the West Philippine Sea.

“It is forecast to make landfall on either Isabela or Aurora within the next 24 hours,” PAGASA said.

“GENER is likely to experience limited intensification over the next two days but is expected to reach Tropical Storm category by Wednesday after emerging over the West Philippine Sea,” it added.

The tropical cyclone may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday.

Rains

Due to Gener, heavy to intense rains are expected over Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora in the next 24 hours, PAGASA said. 

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the northern portion of Aurora.

Due to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, heavy to intense rains may be experienced in Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental.

Moderate to heavy rains may prevail over the rest of MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Quezon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. 

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within areas under TCSW Signal No. 1, still according to PAGASA.

Habagat, as enhanced by Gener, as well as Tropical Depression Pulasan now outside of PAR, will bring strong to gale-force gusts over MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Davao Region.

PAGASA said gale warning is in effect over the western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the seaboards of Visayas, and the western, northern, and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. 

“Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas,” PAGASA warned.

Moderate to rough seas of up to 3.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, the seaboards of Central Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon.

“Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels,” PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, moderate seas of up to 2.5 meters may be experienced over remaining seaboards of the country outside Gale Warning areas.

“Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions,” PAGASA said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News