NINETEEN areas in Luzon were placed under wind Signal No. 1 yesterday due to tropical depression “Crising” which continues to approach Cagayan where it may make landfall on Friday night.
Crising is enhancing the southwest monsoon and will bring rains to some parts in Luzon including Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Metro Manila was not among areas placed under Signal No. 1.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the primary hazard associated with Crising is “heavy rainfall which may trigger flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable and low-lying areas.”
“The cyclone is also expected to enhance the `habagat,’ bringing widespread rains to Southern Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao. Metro Manila is forecast to be under Yellow Alert (heavy rain) for rainfall by tomorrow (Friday),” the OCD also said.
Crising, as of 4 p.m. yesterday, was some 335 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 545 km east Baler, Aurora, according to the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
It was moving west northwestward at 30 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph or.
Based on PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin, the areas under Signal No. 1 were Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Quirino, northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, northern portion of Aurora, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, northern portion of La Union, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, northern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
“Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA said Crising will move generally northwestward in the next 24 hours.
“A landfall scenario over mainland Cagayan by tomorrow (18 July) evening is possible,” said PAGASA.
“Afterwards, it will move westward traversing the northern portion of northern Luzon, and turn west northwestward until it exits the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday (19 July) afternoon,” added PAGASA.
PAGASA said Crising was forecast to intensify into a tropical storm Thursday night or early Friday, and may reach the severe tropical storm category on Saturday morning or afternoon.
PAGASA said heavy rains are expected today in Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
Chris Perez, PAGASA assistant weather services chief, said Crising was already affecting areas in northern, central, and southern Luzon and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas.
In a press briefing, he said the highest signal warning that PAGASA may declare due to Crising is Signal No 3, specifically in areas in northern Luzon.
Perez said there is also possibility Crising will make landfall in the northern part of Isabela and Babuyan Islands in Cagayan
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has gone on red alert to ensure readiness to respond to the effects of Crising.
In a statement, the NDRRMC said representatives from member-agencies, including the Armed Forces, will be present at the NDRRMC office in Camp Aguinaldo “for enhanced monitoring.”
The OCD, the NDRRMC’s implementing arm, said it is actively working with concerned local government units “to boost coordination and response.”
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered all concerned government agencies to implement proactive measures and ensure complete readiness for Crising.
She urged the public to remain vigilant, monitor weather advisories, and cooperate with local authorities to ensure safety and minimize potential impacts.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it has placed all 44 CAAP-operated airports under heightened alert.
In a statement, CAAP director general Raul del Rosario said he has instructed all area and airport managers in areas to be affected by Crising to activate their airport emergency plans and maintain close coordination with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, airline operators, and other airport stakeholders to ensure passenger safety, secure facilities, and uphold continuous operational readiness. – With Jocelyn Reyes and Myla Iglesias
