MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha) maintained its strength as it moved away from extreme Northern Luzon on Saturday, prompting the Philippine weather bureau to issue warnings for gale-force winds and potential storm surges in several provinces.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported at 5 a.m. that Crising’s center was located 125 kilometers west-northwest of Calayan, Cagayan. The storm was moving north-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts up to 105 kph.
PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over Batanes, the northern portion of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the northern and central portions of Apayao, and the northeastern portion of Abra. Areas under TCWS No. 2 could face minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds.
TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela, the rest of Apayao and Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union. These areas may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds.
“There is a minimal to moderate risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 2.0 meters within 12 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur,” PAGASA warned.
The southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Crising, is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Isabela, La Union, Benguet, Abra, the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, including Zamboanga del Norte and Surigao del Norte.
Monsoon rains are forecast for Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Western Visayas, and Negros Island Region. Occasional rains are expected in Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa, while cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are likely across the rest of the country.
PAGASA said Crising is moving west-northwest toward southern China and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning or early afternoon. The storm is expected to intensify, potentially reaching severe tropical storm status later in the day.
The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines reported that all transmission lines and facilities remained operational as of 5 a.m., despite the storm’s impact.
Authorities urged residents in affected areas to stay vigilant, secure properties, and prepare for possible flooding and landslides as Crising and the monsoon continue to influence weather conditions.
