Tropical Depression Mirasol may make landfall in Isabela or Aurora — PAGASA
By Jel Santos
Tropical Depression Mirasol may make landfall in Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora by Wednesday morning, Sept. 17, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday, Sept. 16.
At 4 p.m., the state weather bureau said the center of Mirasol was estimated at 210 km east northeast of Infanta, Quezon.
PAGASA placed several areas in Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1, warning of “strong winds” that may bring “minimal to minor threat to life and property.”
According to the agency, the areas under Signal No. 1 are Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
“On the forecast track, the center of Mirasol may make landfall in Isabela or northern portion of Aurora by tomorrow morning. However, a more north northwestward or northward movement will likely result to no landfall scenario and will just move over the coastal waters of Northern and Central Luzon,” PAGASA reported.
PAGASA said Mirasol is projected to pass over the Luzon Strait on Thursday morning, Sept. 18, and could exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by afternoon or evening
It said “minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1,” but warned that the Southwest Monsoon will bring “strong to gale-force gusts” over the southern portion of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, Mindoro, and Panay Island on Wednesday, and over Panay, Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, and parts of Ilocos by Thursday.
The agency cautioned seafarers as seas of up to 2.5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Batanes, eastern Isabela and Aurora, and the northern coast of Ilocos Norte.
“Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions,” said PAGASA.