Signal No. 1 still up over 19 areas as Gener further intensifies

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remained over 19 areas in Luzon as Tropical Depression Gener further intensified on Monday afternoon, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Ifugao
• Mountain Province
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Zambales
• Tarlac
• Nueva Ecija
• Aurora
• the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real) including Polillo Islands.

PAGASA said Gener was located 305 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 325 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

The tropical depression was moving north northwestward at 10 kph.

According to PAGASA, Gener may make landfall in the vicinity of Isabela or Aurora within the next 24 hours and may likely emerge over the coastal waters of La Union or Pangasinan on Tuesday morning.

“GENER will likely cross the landmass of mainland Luzon as a tropical depression, although the possibility of reaching tropical storm category prior to landfall is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.

“Over the West Philippine Sea, GENER may reach tropical storm category by tomorrow evening or on Wednesday,” it added.

According to PAGASA, Gener may exit the Philippine area of responsibility between late Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News