Tropical storm “Crising” (international name “Wipha”) maintained its strength as it passed close to Santa Ana, Cagayan on Friday evening, July 18, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 7 p.m., PAGASA said the center of Crising was located over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan, moving north-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph).

PAGASA said Crising will continue moving west-northwestward over the next 12 hours and is expected to make landfall or pass near the Babuyan Islands in the next few hours.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center, with gusts reaching up to 105 kph.

Crising is also likely to intensify further and reach severe tropical status by Saturday evening, July 19, or early Sunday morning, July 20.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains hoisted over the following areas:

* Batanes

* Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands

* Isabela

* Apayao

* Kalinga

* The northern and central portions of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Danglas, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, and Lacub)

* The eastern portions of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis) and Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista)

* Ilocos Norte

* The northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, Magsingal, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Caoayan, City of Vigan, and Santa)

Under Signal No. 2, gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kilometers per hour are expected, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 remains in effect over the following areas:

* Quirino

* Nueva Vizcaya

* The rest of Mountain Province and Ifugao

* The rest of Abra

* Benguet

* The rest of Ilocos Sur

* La Union

* Northern Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, Bugallon)

* The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora)

* The northeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan)

Under Signal No. 1, strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour are expected, posing a minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Heavy rains brought by Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” are expected to continue affecting several parts of the country over the next 24 hours.

Intense to torrential rainfall (over 200 millimeters) is forecast over Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Heavy to intense rainfall (100-200 mm) may affect Batanes, Isabela, Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) is expected in Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant for possible flooding and strong winds, PAGASA said.

Crising is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or afternoon.