Pagasa hoists signal no. 1 in nine areas

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Thursday afternoon raised storm signal no. 1 in nine areas after low pressure area "Gorio" further intensified into a tropical depression. Signal no. 1 was hoisted in Cagayan, Calayan group of Islands, Babuyan group of Islands, Northern Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte and Batanes. Pagasa said Gorio is spotted 340 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center as it moved west northwest at 11 kph, the agency added.
In an interview with GMA News' "24 Oras," Pagasa spokesman Nathaniel Cruz clarified that Gorio is far from the National Capital Region and the rainshowers experienced in Metro Manila is only due to monsoon winds. "Hindi pa ito ang epekto ng bagong si Gorio. Katulad po ng thunderstorms ito po ay epekto ng hanging habagat kaya po ‘yung ating kababyan ‘wag magtataka ‘yung bagyo na sinsabi natin ay nandoon sa northern Luzon pero sa susunod na araw magkakaroon ng pag-ulan sanhi po ng paglakas ng hanging habagat lalo na sa western Visayas," Cruz said. [Rainshowers in Metro Manila are not caused by tropical depression Gorio. Like the thunderstorms, the downpours are caused by monsoon winds.] Meanwhile, the state weather forecasters advised residents living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV