PAGASA: 10 areas under Signal 2 as 'Dindo' nears extreme north Luzon

(Updated 5:30 a.m.) Ten areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 2 and seven more under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Storm Dindo (International code: Doksuri) lashed toward extreme northern Luzon Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its tropical cyclone update.   Forecaster Chris Perez said in a phone interview Wednesday evening with GMA News Online that PAGASA estimated “Dindo” will make landfall either Thursday afternoon or evening in the extreme northern Luzon area.   Metro Manila will only be indirectly affected by “Dindo,” because the tropical storm is likely to enhance the southwest monsoon, Perez noted.   There will be frequent rains in Metro Manila, as well as in Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, especially the western section. The rains may trigger landslides and flash floods. Storm warnings updated   Areas under Storm Signal No. 2 are:

• Cagayan
• Calayan Group of Islands
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Isabela
• Batanes Group of Islands
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Ilocos Norte
• Abra
• Mt. Province  

Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

• La Union
• Ilocos Sur
• Aurora
• Ifugao
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Benguet

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas due to the combined effect of Tropical Storm 'Dindo' and the Southwest monsoon," PAGASA said.   "Dindo" was estimated at 260 km east of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.   Perez said PAGASA estimated heavy to intense rainfall of 15 to 25 mm per hour within the 400-km diameter of "Dindo.”   The weather agency also said "Dindo" was moving west northwest at 19 kph, and is expected to be 190 km east northeast of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, by Thursday afternoon. —Gianfranco Geronimo/Amanda Lago/VS/ELR, GMA News