‘Kristine’ intensifies; 47 areas under storm signal warnings

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“KRISTINE” yesterday intensified into a tropical storm while heading towards the Isabela-Aurora area where it was forecast to make landfall on Wednesday night or early morning Thursday.

President Marcos Jr., during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang, directed all local government units, especially those in Luzon, to prepare for the impact of against Tropical Storm Kristine.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, meanwhile, recommended to affected local government units the suspension of classes today in all levels in the Luzon area.

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As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Kristine was some 390 km east of Daet, Camarines Norte. It was moving west northwestward at 15 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

In a bulletin issued by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 5 p.m., it also said seven areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2.

These are Catanduanes, eastern portion of Camarines Norte, eastern portion of Camarines Sur, eastern portion of Albay, eastern portion of Sorsogon, northeastern portion of Northern Samar, and northern portion of Eastern Samar.

In these areas, “minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible,” PAGASA said.

Forty other areas are under Signal No. 1, including Metro Manila.

The others are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Islands), Oriental Mindoro, Masbate (including Ticao and Burias Islands), Marinduque, Romblon, rest of Camarines Norte, rest of Camarines Sur, rest of Albay, rest of Sorsogon, northeastern portion of Northern Samar, northern portion of Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte (including the Siargao-Bucas Grande Group).

PAGASA said wind impact in areas under Signal No. 1 is “minimal to minor.”

LANDFALL

Kristine intensified into a tropical storm, from tropical depression, yesterday morning, PAGASA said.

“Kristine is forecast to move generally northwestward until it makes landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora tomorrow (Wednesday) evening or on Thursday (24 October) early morning,” PAGASA said.

Kristine was forecast to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall. It will then cross the “mountainous terrain” of northern Luzon and emerge in the waters of Ilocos region on Thursday afternoon or evening. Kristine will slightly weaken while crossing northern Luzon. PAGASA said.

The agency also said Kristine may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday.

STORM SURGE, LAHAR ADVISORY

PAGASA said intense to torrential rains are expected until today in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar, and until Thursday afternoon in Isabela, Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA also said a storm surge as high as one to two meters may occur in areas in Albay, Aurora, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Isabela.

It advised the public, and disaster risk reduction and management councils in these areas “to take appropriate actions and precautionary measures.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a lahar advisory for Mayon Volcano in Albay, which is under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest).

Phivolcs noted PAGASA’s forecast that Kristine is expected to bring “heavy to intense rains” to the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions until tonight.

“These rains could generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy stream flows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas of Mayon Volcano,” Phivolcs said.

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The Office of Civil Defense said it has activated “Charlie” protocol, the highest level of emergency preparedness, in Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa regions which have been identified as “high-risk areas.”

It said Ilocos region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are “Bravo” protocol (moderate risk).

Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Soccsksargen, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga are under “Alpha” protocol (low risk).

“The OCD is actively coordinating with transport agencies to issue travel advisories, particularly in areas anticipated to be impacted by the tropical cyclone,” the OCD also said.

CLASS, WORK SUSPENSION

The Department of Education said 17,764 schools in 79 school divisions in 13 regions y suspended face-to-face classes yesterday due to the inclement weather, affecting about 7.4 million learners and 344,125 teaching and non-teaching staff.

Most of the affected schools are in the Eastern Visayas region (4,179 schools) followed by Bicol (3,814), Cagayan Valley (2,025), Calabarzon (1, 795), Soccsksargen (1,786) Central Visayas (1,548), Zamboanga Peninsula (1,287), Mimaropa (603) Western Visayas (425), Central Luzon (176), Northern Mindanao (118), and eight in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Some court operations across the country were also suspended yesterday, including in San Fernando, Masbate, Placer, Masbate, all courts under the administrative supervision of RTC Sorsogon City, all courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Catbalogan in Samar, as well as the RTCs in Legazpi City and the municipal trial courts in the towns of Rapu-Rapu, Daraga, Guinobatan in Albay.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said family food packs  and relief goods have been prepositioned in the regions within the typhoon path while its National Resource Operations Center (NROC) maintains over 176,000 boxes of food packs ready to be sent to would-be affected localities.

Over 864 passengers were stranded in six airports operated by the Civil Aviation of the Philippines (CAAP).

Four international flights at the Bicol International Airport were cancelled, affecting 606 passengers.

Flight operations at Calbayog airport were suspended, while Catarman and Masbate airports cancelled scheduled flights.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said nearly 4,000 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers have been stranded at 64 ports in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao as of 4 p.m. yesterday. – With Jocelyn Montemayor, Ashzel Hachero, and Osias Osorio

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