Kristine makes landfall over Divilacan, Isabela

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has made landfall over Divilacan, Isabela early Thursday morning, according to the announcement made by PAGASA.

Kristine made landfall at 12:30 a.m., the state weather bureau said.

According to the 11p.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin, there are 15 areas placed under Tropical Wind Cyclone Signal No. 3.

Kristine was located over the coastal waters of Palanan, Isabela with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 130 kph, moving northwestward at 20 kp/h.

PAGASA said strong to gale-force gusts will occur over Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental on Thursday.

PAGASA also reported a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora within the next 48 hours.

Kristine is also seen to cross northern Luzon over the next 12 hours.

“After traversing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, the center of the severe tropical storm may emerge over the waters west of Ilocos Region tomorrow (24 October) morning or afternoon,” PAGASA said.

“Kristine slightly weaken while crossing Northern Luzon due to land interaction, with downgrading into a tropical storm not ruled out. However, re-intensification may occur once the tropical cyclone moves over the West Philippine Sea,” it added.

State meteorologists also said Kristine may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday afternoon. — BAP, GMA Integrated News