PAGASA: Kristine's slow pace caused heavy rainfall in Bicol

The slow movement of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine caused heavy rains and flooding in the Bicol region, according to a weather specialist of PAGASA.

On Wednesday evening, PAGASA Weather Specialist Loriedin De la Cruz - Galicia explained that Kristine moved slowly as it approached the Philippine landmass and its radius covered the Bicol Region, some parts of Quezon Province, and Samar in the Visayas.

“Malaki yung radius niya. Ibig sabihin, babad na babad po (sa ulan) yung Bicol Region, some parts of  Quezon and Samar in Visayas. Very exposed po sila,” Galicia said in a video of Mark Salazar.

“At nataon na itong bagyo, ang concentration ng ulan ay dito sa Southwest portion and dito sa (Western) portion na ito, kung ivi-visualize natin, sa kanila nakatapat,” she added.

(Kristine’s radius is wide so the Bicol Region, some parts of Quezon, and Samar in Visayas are very exposed to the rains. Coincidentally, the concentration of Kristine is in the Southwest and Western portion of the country so if we visualize it, these areas are affected.)

Kristine was last spotted 150 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 115 kph, moving northwestward at 15 kph.

Signal No. 3 was hoisted over 13 areas in Luzon.

Kristine is forecast to make landfall over Isabela on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning or afternoon. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News