Mirasol now over Apayao, Signal No 1 hoisted in 8 areas

Tropical Depression Mirasol is now over Apayao with Signal No. 1 hoisted in 8 areas in Luzon, according to PAGASA’s 8 p.m. Thursday bulletin.

These areas are the following:

1. Batanes
2. Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, Roxas, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Quirino, Mallig, Maconacon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, San Manuel, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Ilagan City, Divilacan)
3. Apayao
4. Abra
5. Kalinga
6. Mountain Province
7. Eastern and northern portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Hungduan, Aguinaldo, Banaue, Alfonso Lista, Hingyon, Ilocos Norte)
8. Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Cervantes, Quirino, San Emilio, Gregorio del Pilar, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Burgos, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Suyo, Sigay, Galimuyod, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Salcedo)

 

Mirasol was observed in the vicinity of Calanasan, Apayao, carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h. It was traveling northwestward at 15 km/h.

The state weather bureau maintained that Mirasol is expected to generally move northwestward within the next 12 hours while traversing Northern Luzon and will re-emerge over the Luzon Strait, where it will likely intensify into a tropical storm.

“With this intensification, hoisting of Wind Signal No. 2 is possible over some portions of Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.

“MIRASOL will remain as a tropical storm throughout the forecast period. However, further intensification to a severe tropical storm is not ruled out,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts in  Metro Manila, Isabela, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Quezon, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas on Thursday.

State meteorologists forecast that the storm will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday morning. –NB, GMA Integrated News