By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – Severe Tropical Storm Crising has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of 10 a.m. Saturday, the weather bureau said.
In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the storm was estimated at 235 km. west of Itbayat, Batanes.
Crising is moving westward at 15 kph with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains hoisted over:
— Batanes
— The western portion of Babuyan Islands (Dalupiri Island, Calayan Island), and
— Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Pasuquin, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, and Bangui)
TCWS No. 1 is up over:
— The rest of Ilocos Norte
— Ilocos Sur
— The northern portion La Union (Bangar, Sudipen, Luna, Balaoan, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, and San Juan), Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, and
— The rest of Cagayan
PAGASA said minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the localities where TCWS No. 2 is hoisted, while minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under TCWS No. 1.
“There is a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 2.0 m within 12 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur,” it added.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or “habagat” will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Isabela, the rest of La Union, the rest of Benguet, Abra, Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
PAGASA said Crising will continue moving generally west-northwestward towards southern China for the rest of the forecast period.
It is forecast to continue to intensify and may reach Typhoon category Sunday afternoon or evening. (PNA)
