The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday evening, Sept. 16 said Tropical Depression “Gener” has maintained its strength while continuing to traverse the coast of Palanan, Isabela, and is expected to make landfall in either Isabela or Aurora within a few hours.

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Gener is moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) and is expected to make landfall between Monday evening and early Tuesday morning, Sept. 16.

The tropical depression has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.

Due to the approaching weather disturbance, more areas in Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 1 late Monday.

Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, northern Bulacan, northern Pampanga, Aurora, and northern Quezon, including Polillo Islands.

Heavy rainfall forecast

From Monday evening to Tuesday evening, PAGASA said Gener may bring heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) to Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Aurora.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail across the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the rest of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Quezon, and Rizal.

From Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening, Sept. 18, Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Ilocos Norte may continue to experience heavy to intense rains.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Gener and Tropical Storm “Pulasan” (international name), outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), may continue to intensify the habagat, which could bring heavy rains over other parts of Luzon and Visayas.

From Monday evening to Tuesday evening, heavy to intense habagat rains may prevail over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental.

Moderate to heavy rainfall due to habagat may also affect Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Western Visayas, the rest of Negros Island Region (NIR), and Bicol Region.

From Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening, heavy to intense rainfall may persist in Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, and Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall may affect Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Western Visayas, the rest of NIR, Bicol Region, and Central Visayas.

From Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, Sept. 19, heavy to intense rainfall may continue in Occidental Mindoro.

Moderate to heavy rainfall may also persist in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Aklan, Antique, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding or landslides, especially in areas classified as “highly or very highly susceptible” to these hazards and areas that have received substantial rainfall in the past few days.

After its landfall, tropical Depression Gener is projected to emerge over the coastal waters of La Union or Pangasinan on Tuesday morning or noon.

PAGASA said Gener may exit the PAR between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.