Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name “Trami”) slightly accelerated and is poised to make landfall in Isabela on Wednesday evening, Oct. 23, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In the PAGASA’s 11 a.m. bulletin, the center of Kristine was located 200 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, or 255 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.
The storm is expected to move north-northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour (kph). It was initially expected to make landfall in Isabela or Aurora between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, but a landfall is now more likely to occur in Isabela on Wednesday evening.
Kristine has maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center with gusts of up to 105 kph. It may strengthen into a severe tropical storm before landfall.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia advised the public that while the eye of the storm is expected to pass directly over northern Luzon, its wide radius could also bring significant rains and wind gusts to other areas, including Metro Manila, central and southern Luzon, and parts of the Visayas.
In anticipation of the storm, Signal No. 2 has been raised in Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon (including Polillo Islands), Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon).
Areas under Signal No. 1 include Batanes, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Islands), Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, the rest of Sorsogon, Masbate (including Ticao and Burias Islands), Aklan, Capiz, Antique (including Caluya Islands), Iloilo, Guimaras, northern portion of Negros Occidental (Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Bago City, La Carlota City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, San Enrique, Murcia, Silay City, City of Talisay, Enrique B. Magalona, Manapla, City of Victorias, Cadiz City, Sagay City, City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City), northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, City of Guihulngan), northern and central portions of Cebu (Alcantara, Argao, Dumanjug, Sibonga, Pinamungahan, Ronda, Liloan, Cebu City, Moalboal, Consolacion, Danao City, Borbon, Carmen, Daanbantayan, Tuburan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, City of Carcar, Mandaue City, Catmon, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Cordova, Compostela, San Remigio, Balamban, Aloguinsan, San Fernando, Asturias, Barili, Medellin, Sogod, Tabuelan, City of Talisay), including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte (including Siargao-Bucas Grande Group).
PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during the passage of Kristine is Signal No. 3.
Heavy rainfall forecast
Dela Cruz-Galicia advised the public to remain vigilant against heavy to intense rainfall that may cause flooding or landslides in several areas.
On Wednesday, intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) may affect Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Aurora, Quezon, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect the rest of Cagayan Valley, the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Rizal, Albay, and Sorsogon.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail over the rest of Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, Masbate, and Northern Samar.
Storm surge warnings
PAGASA also issued storm surge warnings due to the anticipated rise in sea levels caused by the approaching storm.
“A moderate to high risk of storm surge may occur within the next 48 hours. There is a possibility of inundation due to rising seawater along with high waves in the low-lying coastal communities,” PAGASA said in its advisory issued at 2 a.m.
Areas at risk of storm surges include Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
Residents in low-lying coastal communities are advised to stay away from the coast or beach, cancel marine activities, and stay updated with the latest information from PAGASA.
Kristine may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday, Oct. 25.