December 23, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 was hoisted yesterday in the southern portion of Palawan, particularly Balabac and Kalayaan Islands amid the threat of Tropical Depression Romina, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In the 5 p.m. cyclone bulletin issued by PAGASA, Romina continued to move toward the southern Kalayaan islands.
The state weather bureau said the center of the tropical depression was located over the coastal waters of Rurok Island in Kalayaan, outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), and was moving northward at 35 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Romina is the 18th tropical cyclone to affect the Philippines this year.
“Based on our forecast track, Tropical Cyclone Romina will move slightly toward north-northwest direction in the next hours, and it is projected to move to the western part of Kalayaan Islands, and it is possible to intensify before it moves further away from the country’s landmass or PAR,” PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia said.
She said that the threat of strong winds and rains brought by Romina is expected in the next 36 hours in Kalayaan Islands.
Meanwhile, PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said that the shear line continues to affect the eastern part of Southern Luzon and Visayas.
He added that cloudy skies and weak rains will affect a big portion of Luzon, particularly Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila and portions of Calabarzon.
“The trough or extension of the tropical depression will bring cloudy skies and rains in portions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi while fair weather will persist for the rest of the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state weather bureau issued a heavy rainfall outlook due to the shear line and Romina.
As of 11 a.m. yesterday, intense to torrential or more than 200 millimeters of rains are expected in Kalayaan Islands; heavy to intense or from 100 to 200 mm of rains are expected for the rest of Palawan; and moderate to heavy or from 50 to 100 mm of rains in Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Northern Samar.
Today until tomorrow, heavy to intense rains are expected in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes, while moderate to heavy rains are expected in Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
According to the state weather bureau, from noon tomorrow until Wednesday, heavy to intense rains will persist in Aurora and Quezon while moderate to heavy rains are expected in Isabela, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Northern Samar.
“Forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Moreover, impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall. The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property,” PAGASA said.
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