Signal No. 2 up in 4 areas as Bising maintains strength

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains over four areas as typhoon Bising maintained strength while slowly moving north-northwestward east of Aurora, PAGASA said Tuesday.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the weather agency said TCWS No. 2 is raised over:

• The eastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Peñablanca, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri)
• The eastern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Ilagan, Palanan, San Mariano, Dinapigue)
• The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag)
• Catanduanes

Meanwhile, the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

• Batanes
• The rest of Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands
• The rest of Isabela
• Quirino
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• The eastern portion of Mountain Province (Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis, Sadanga, Bontoc)
• The eastern portion of Ifugao (Banaue, Lagawe, Mayoyao, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Hingyon)
• The northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi)
• The central portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler)
• The eastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan) including Polillo Islands
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur

At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the center of Bising was located at 475 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

PAGASA said Bising is expected to move northeastward away from the landmass of Luzon until Friday.

It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, Bising is expected to be downgraded into a severe tropical storm by Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

The next severe weather bulletin on Bising is set to be released at 11 p.m.

Hazards affecting land

On Tuesday, light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains are expected over the Camarines Provinces, Catanduanes, and the eastern portion of Quezon.

PAGASA warned affected residents against “highly likely” flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides.

Meanwhile, the northeasterly windflow that is enhanced by Bising will bring strong breeze to near gale conditions with higher gusts over the rest of Northern Luzon and the rest of Aurora and Quezon that are not under TCWS.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

Meanwhile, very rough to high seas may prevail over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and rough to high seas over the northern and eastern Visayas in the next 24 hours.

PAGASA said that sea travel is risky for all types of seacraft.

The weather agency said rough to very rough seas are also expected over the western seaboards of Northern Luzon while rough seas may prevail over the eastern seaboards of Caraga and Davao Oriental and the remaining seaboards of areas under TCWS.

“Sea travel is risky for small seacraft over these waters. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor,” PAGAS said.

Meanwhile, the western seaboard of Central Luzon may experience moderate to rough seas.

PAGASA said small seacraft should refrain from venturing out. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News