Signal No. 1 up in 19 areas as Gener nears N. Luzon

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains over 19 areas in Luzon as Tropical Depression Gener continues to approach Northern Luzon, according to PAGASA on Monday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said the following areas are still 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

State meteorologists said Gener was located 290 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan and is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Gener is moving northwestward at 10 kph.

It 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 by Tuesday morning.

A gale warning is in effect over several coastal waters in the western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the seaboards of Visayas, and the western, northern, and eastern seaboards of Mindanao.

Small vessels were warned of the risk of sea travel.

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

“Over the West Philippine Sea, Gener may reach tropical storm category tomorrow evening or on Wednesday morning,” the state weather bureau added.

Gener is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday, late evening.
—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News