14 areas under Signal No.2 as Florita slightly intensifies

The weather bureau PAGASA has raised Signal No. 2 over 14 areas as Tropical Storm Florita intensified slightly while slowly moving westward.

According to its 11 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said Florita's center was seen at 10 p.m. to be 125 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.

It is heading westward while packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

Heavy rainfall and severe winds may be experienced across parts of the country due to the tropical cyclone, said PAGASA, with the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) expected to trigger monsoon rains in the next 24 hours.

A gale warning also remains in effect over the northern, eastern, and southern seaboards of Luzon and western seaboard of Visayas, PAGASA added.

“Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” the agency said.

On its forecast track, PAGASA said Florita may further intensify into a severe tropical storm prior to its landfall in the vicinity of the east coast of Isabela or Cagayan Tuesday morning. It is expected to slightly weaken after the landfall due to the frictional effects of the rugged terrain as it crosses the northern portion of Northern Luzon.

Outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the tropical cyclone is forecast to re-intensify into a severe tropical storm and may reach a peak intensity of 95 kph on Wednesday evening.

Gale-force winds are expected in the following areas, where Signal No. 2 is hoisted:

1. Cagayan
2. Southern portion of Babuyan Islands (Camiguin, Fuga, Dalupiri, Pamuktan, Barit, Mabag, Irao islands)
3. Isabela
4. Quirino
5. Eastern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Ambaguio, Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi, Quezon, Bayombong, Bambang, Aritao, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu, Alfonso Castaneda)
6. Apayao
7. Abra
8. Kalinga
9. Mountain Province
10. Ifugao
11. Northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Buguias, Kabayan, Mankayan, Bokod, Atok)
12. Ilocos Norte
13. Ilocos Sur
14. Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora)

Signal No. 1 is raised over the following areas: 

1. Rest of Babuyan Islands
2. Rest of Nueva Vizcaya
3. Rest of Benguet
4. La Union
5. Eastern and central portions of Pangasinan (Bani, Bolinao, City of Alaminos, Anda, Sual, Labrador, Bugallon, Aguilar, Mangatarem, Urbiztondo, Bayambang, Bautista, Alcala, Santo Tomas, Rosales, Balungao, Umingan, San Quintin, Natividad, San Nicolas, Tayug, Santa Maria, Asingan, San Manuel, Sison, Binalonan, City of Urdaneta, Villasis, Laoac, Pozorrubio, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mapandan, Mangaldan, Santa Barbara, Malasiqui, Dagupan City, Calasiao, San Carlos City, Basista, Binmaley, Lingayen)
6. Eastern portion of Tarlac (San Clemente, Camiling, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Paniqui, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, La Paz, City of Tarlac, Concepcion)
7. Nueva Ecija
8. Rest of Aurora
9. Eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)
10. Eastern portion of Bulacan (San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Rafael, Angat, Norzagaray, City of San Jose del Monte)
11. Eastern portion of Rizal (Rodriguez, San Mateo, City of Antipolo, Tanay, Baras)
12. Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Mauban, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag) including Polillo Islands
13. Northern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete)
14. Camarines Norte

—Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News