Severe tropical storm Florita (international name: Ma-on) has further weakened after crossing the Luzon landmass Tuesday, Aug. 23, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
PAGASA in the 11 p.m. bulletin said Florita was already over the West Philippine Sea, or about 80 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
It now has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
“On the forecast track, Florita may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) tomorrow morning (Aug. 24). Over the West Philippine Sea, Florita is forecast to re-intensify and reach typhoon category tomorrow evening,” PAGASA said.
Only the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui) remained under tropical cyclone wind signal number 3.
Signal No. 2 remained hoisted over the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan, western portion of the Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Abra, the rest of Ilocos Norte, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was still raised over Batanes, the rest of Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, northern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya, northern portion of Quirino, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern portion of Aurora.
PAGASA said heavy to intense rains may persist in the Ilocos Region, Abra, and Benguet in the next few hours.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also prevail over the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may persist in the Cagayan Valley.
“Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are still expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA warned.
PAGASA said the southwest monsoon or “habagat” may also continue to bring rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon in the next 24 hours.
The habagat, which is being enhanced by Florita, may bring moderate to heavy rains over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, and the rest of Central Luzon.