MANILA: ‘Kristine’ has strengthened into a severe tropical storm, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to issue Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 for several provinces in Luzon. The storm is expected to further intensify and make landfall between Thursday night and Friday morning.
According to Philippines News Agency, PAGASA’s 5 a.m. advisory on Wednesday indicated that provinces including Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, central portions of Abra, Benguet, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya are under Signal No. 3. Northern and central areas of Aurora, northern portions of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, La Union, and the central and southern parts of Ilocos Sur are also affected. These regions should prepare for winds ranging from 89 kph to 117 kph within the next 18 hours.
Signal No. 2 has been raised over Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, remaining areas of Ilocos Sur, Apayao, other parts of Abra, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and regions across
Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, and other areas, indicating the potential for hazardous conditions.
Areas under Signal No. 1, which includes portions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, may experience less intense but still significant weather conditions. These include provinces like Batanes, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and various islands and regions across the Visayas and Mindanao.
The center of the storm was located 175 km east of Echague, Isabela, with maximum winds of 95 kph and gusts reaching 115 kph, moving west at 20 kph. PAGASA warned of a moderate to significant risk of life-threatening storm surges in low-lying coastal areas, particularly in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora, and Quezon.
A gale warning remains in effect for the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas, and sea travel is deemed risky for all vessels. Mariners have been advised to seek shelter until conditions improve. Kristine is expected to exit the Philipp
ine Area of Responsibility by Friday.