Kristine a severe tropical storm, Signal No. 3 raised over 13 areas

Tropical cyclone Kristine (international name: Trami) has developed into a severe tropical storm ahead of its expected landfall over Isabela, the state weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. Wednesday bulletin.

As a result, Signal No. 3 was raised over the following areas:

• Isabela
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• the central portion of Abra (Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Bucloc, Boliney, Tubo, Luba, Manabo, Bucay, Villaviciosa, Pilar, San Isidro, Pe)
• Benguet
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler)
• the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, San Jose City, Pantabangan)
• Pangasinan
• La Union
• the central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur (Cervantes, Quirino, Sigay, Suyo, Alilem, Sugpon, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Salcedo, Gregorio del Pilar, San Emilio, Lidlidda, Burgos, San Esteban, Santiago, Banayoyo, Galimuyod, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Nagbukel, Santa Maria, Narvacan)

Under Signal No. 2 are the following areas:

• Ilocos Norte
• the rest of Ilocos Sur
• Apayao
• the rest of Abra
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• the rest of Aurora
• the rest of Nueva Ecija
• Bulacan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Metro Manila
• Cavite
• Laguna
• Rizal
• Quezon including Polillo Islands
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas:

• Batanes
• Batangas
• Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands
• Oriental Mindoro
• Marinduque
• Romblon
• Calamian Islands
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Antique including Caluya Islands
• Iloilo
• Guimaras
• the northern portion of Negros Occidental (Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Bago City, La Carlota City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, San Enrique, Murcia, Silay City, City of Talisay, Enrique B. Magalona, Manapla, City of Victorias, Cadiz City, Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City)
• the northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, City of Guihulngan)
• the northern and central portions of Cebu (Alcantara, Argao, Dumanjug, Sibonga, Pinamungahan, Ronda, Liloan, Cebu City, Moalboal, Consolacion, Danao City, Borbon, Carmen, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, City of Carcar, Mandaue City, Catmon, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Cordova, Compostela, San Remigio, Balamban, Aloguinsan, San Fernando, Asturias, Barili, Medellin, Sogod, Tabuelan, City of Talisay) including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands
• Bohol
• Eastern Samar
• Northern Samar
• Samar
• Leyte
• Biliran
• Southern Leyte
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte including Siargao - Bucas Grande Group

At 4 p.m., Kristine was spotted 175 km east of Echague, Isabela.

With maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h, Kristine was traveling northwestward at 20 km/h.

PAGASA said Kristine would likely make landfall over Isabela on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Kristine is forecast to further intensify until it makes landfall, with slight weakening while crossing Northern Luzon.

''Re-intensification may occur over the West Philippine Sea,'' PAGASA said.

The tropical cyclone is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday.

Meanwhile, three people were reported dead in Bicol Region due to Kristine's effects, according to the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) on Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council also said one person was reported injured in the region.

A total of 382,302 individuals or 77,910 families have been affected by Kristine in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Of the affected population, 12,334 people or 3,095 families were staying in evacuation centers while 364 people or 96 families were taking shelter in other places.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has also reported that 30 road sections are impassable.  — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News