PAGASA lifts Signal No. 3 but warns of storm surge

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) lifted tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 3 in areas affected by severe tropical storm ‘Kristine,’ which was moving westward near Lingayen Gulf based on the latest weather bulletin.

The state weather bureau maintained its heavy rainfall outlook in some areas and warned of severe flooding attributed to risks of storm surge in low-lying areas, particularly in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales.

“’Kristine’ is forecast to re-intensify as it moves over the West Philippine Sea. While it is likely that the tropical cyclone will remain a severe tropical storm in the next five days, the chance for it to be upgraded into a typhoon is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its 8:00 p.m. advisory on Thursday.

As of this posting, TCWS No. 2 prevails over the following areas across Luzon:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, the northern portion of Cavite (Ternate, Maragondon, Naic, Tanza, City of General Trias, Rosario, Cavite City, Noveleta, Kawit, Imus City, Bacoor City), the northern portion of Rizal (Cainta, Taytay, Angono, San Mateo, Rodriguez, Tanay, City of Antipolo, Baras, Teresa, Morong), and the northern portion of mainland Quezon (General Nakar)

PAGASA also kept the following locations under TCWS No. 1:

• LUZON – Batanes, the rest of Rizal, the rest of Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, the rest of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the northern portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Araceli, San Vicente, Dumaran, Roxas) including Calamian, Cuyo, and, Kalayaan Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands

• VISAYAS – Aklan, Capiz, Antique including Caluya Islands, Iloilo, Bantayan Islands, the western portion of Northern Samar (Lope de Vega, Rosario, Biri, San Isidro, Capul, San Vicente, Victoria, Lavezares, San Antonio, Mondragon, San Jose, Catarman, San Roque, Allen, Bobon), the northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Tagapul-An)

PAGASA said ‘Kristine’ is expected to keep moving westward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday afternoon. It has also not ruled out the possibility of it returning to the PAR region in the coming days, depending on its behavior.