BUTUAN CITY –Tropical Depression Crising has slightly intensified as it moves over the waters near Baler, Aurora, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of the latest weather bulletin, the center of Crising was spotted approximately 460 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. The storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph, moving northwestward at 15 kph.
PAGASA forecasts that Crising will make landfall over mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands by Friday afternoon, July 18. In anticipation of its impact, PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over 21 areas across the country.
Areas under Signal No. 1 include:
- Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet
- Ilocos Region: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur
- Cagayan Valley: Isabela, Cagayan (including the Babuyan Islands), Batanes, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya
- Central Luzon: Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora (Aurora province); Carranglan and Pantabangan (northern Nueva Ecija)
- Pangasinan: San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, Alaminos City, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, Bugallon
- Calabarzon: Polillo Islands
- Bicol Region: Camarines Norte; Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, San Jose, Presentacion, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa (Camarines Sur); Catanduanes
Crising is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon or evening, July 19.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert for possible flash floods, landslides, and strong winds, especially in elevated and low-lying areas. PAGASA continues to monitor the storm and will issue updates as necessary.
