The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, Sept. 8, warned of heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, and parts of Bicol as severe tropical storm "Jolina" (international name "Conson") moves towards Batangas or Oriental Mindoro.
The center of the severe tropical storm was over the coastal waters of Boac, Marinduque at around 4 a.m.
"It is forecast to move over the Tayabas Bay and make another landfall in the vicinity of eastern Batangas this morning. However, due to the recent southwestward trend in the shift of track forecasts, the possibility of landfall in the vicinity of northern Oriental Mindoro is not ruled out at this time," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
Afterward, Jolina may traverse the Batangas-Cavite area before emerging over Manila Bay Wednesday evening.
This will be followed by another landfall in the vicinity of Bataan Peninsula, PAGASA said.
In the next 24 hours, Jolina may dump heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Metro Manila, Romblon, Marinduque, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also prevail over Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Albay, Sorsogon, northern Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.
"Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding including flash floods and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," PAGASA warned.
Tropical cyclone wind signals up in several Luzon areas
Signal number 2 remains hoisted over Metro Manila, northern portion of Romblon, Marinduque, northern and central portions of Oriental Mindoro, northern and central portions of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, central and southern portions of Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, southern portion of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, and Tarlac.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised over La Union, southern portion of Benguet, southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, southern portion of Aurora, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Bulacan, the rest of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, western portion of Camarines Sur, western portion of Albay, northwestern portion of Masbate including Burias Island, the rest of Romblon, the rest of Oriental Mindoro, the rest of Occidental Mindoro, northwestern portion of Antique, and northern portion of Aklan.
PAGASA warned of damaging gale-force to storm-force winds in areas under Signal No. 2 and strong winds with occasional gusts in areas under Signal No. 1.
Moreover, storm surges may affect some coastal areas in Quezon province, while coastal flooding may occur in areas under signals 2 and 1.
Land interaction may weaken Jolina
PAGASA said "frictional effects" while crossing the Luzon landmass will likely lead to the weakening of Jolina into a tropical storm.
As of Wednesday morning, Jolina has maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
"Jolina is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow morning (Sept. 9). Re-intensification is forecast to occur beginning tomorrow afternoon as the tropical cyclone moves west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea towards the southern China-northern Vietnam area," it said.
Jolina will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday morning, Sept. 10.